When Sony announced plans for users to download movies and TV shows via PS3 consoles this summer in the US (Europe and Asia shortly following), all PS3 owners had a smug grins on their faces as their investment seemed money well spent.However, those smiles will have to wait until the day it becomes reality as insiders at numerous movie studios said they don't yet have deals in place to offer their movies on the PS3. Sony Pictures is believed to be the only one already confirmed.
Sony is looking to compete with XBox Live Video Marketplace by offering the same features plus extra features only available on the PS3. So in addition to standard movie rentals, Sony are talking to potential partners about allowing users to transfer movie downloads to the PSP. It's also thinking about working with the company's own Blu-ray disc format so that users might be able to transfer a copy off the hi-def DVD onto a PS3 or PSP (similar to the "digital copy" for iPods that some studios are starting to offer on DVDs).
However with the extra PS3 features than the XBox Live could mean more complicated contracts with studios, possibly leading to less content for the video download service on launch date.
Sony does have at least one studio backing it up though, and that is Sony Pictures. If they can convince just one other studio to sign on, they will have the same amount of studios Xbox Live Video market place had when it begin at the end of 2006.
But while Sony may feel confident video downloads will be ready to go this summer, it doesn't exactly have a big library lined up. Sources at numerous major studios confirmed they have all talked to Sony, none have yet made a deal. The only one that's definitely on board so far is, for obvious reasons, Sony Pictures.
Of course, if Sony just offers the same options as Xbox Live, it won't have any trouble getting more content since those deals have become pretty much de rigeur in the industry. But if it is indeed looking to do more, that would be a more complicated deal and could mean the PS3 video download store will launch with a more limited offering. Of course, this isn't necessarily a bad thing as Xbox Live Video Marketplace debuted in late 2006 with only buyin from two major movie studios; Warner and Paramount. They then went on to add most of the Hollywood majors, including Fox, Disney, MGM, New Line, and a ton of TV networks.
Topper Howard Stringer also said Sony will launch a streaming video service for its new line of Internet-connected Bravia television sets this fall. The first pic will be Sony's "Hancock," which will be available to stream on Bravia TVs before it's released on DVD.
Stringer said that over the next three fiscal years, through March 2011, Sony intends to put Internet connections in 90% of its electronic devices. Other goals include bringing the videogames group into the black this fiscal year; doubling earnings from Brazil, Russia, India and China to 2 billion yen ($18.6 billion) by fiscal 2010; and reaching 5% operating profits overall.
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