Movie studios sign for PlayStation Network
Fox, Disney, Paramount and more on board for HD movie downloads in US
20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution are all set to offer HD movies for purchase and download via the PlayStation Network.
Initially announced only for the US, the service will be the first on a home console to offer movies to buy as well as just rent. The support of all six major movie studios also gives Sony a considerable advantage when competing against the more established Xbox Live service.
Sony has stated that a similar service will launch soon in the UK, France, Germany and Spain, although traditionally the content available, and sometimes the providers, has varied considerably between different territories.
"Securing high definition content from these studios is another significant milestone further validating PlayStation Network as a complete entertainment network in the home, " said Peter Dille, SCEA senior vice president of marketing and PlayStation Network.
"PlayStation Network continues to offer the most comprehensive catalogue of HD movies to PlayStation Network members that realize the wide-ranging entertainment power of the PS3 system," he added.
Movies due for release in the first few weeks including Fox's Night at the Museum 2, Disney/Pixar's Up, Sony Picture's District 9, Universal's Inglourious Basterds and Warner's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.