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Kaz Hirai confirms movie download service coming to PSN this summer photo

I’ve always wondered why Sony -- with its massive media holdings in the film and music industries (i.e., Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony BMG) -- hasn’t yet brought that content to the PlayStation Network. After all, Microsoft has a wide variety of downloadable media available on Xbox Live Marketplace, and such a service on the PSN would almost certainly be a cash cow for Sony.

Well, I will have to wonder no longer -- at least on the movie side. Yahoo! News reports that Kaz Hirai, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, announced in Tokyo early this morning that a “movie download service” will be making its way to the PlayStation 3 this summer. That release window applies to America; Sony will offer the service in Japan and Europe at later dates. I wonder if we’ll see some more details at E3...

Above is an image of how the download service could look on the PlayStation Store; the screenshot was found by CVG in a PDF file on the Sony Global corporate website (a larger version is available in the gallery below). The service looks like it will be seamlessly integrated into the current interface, perhaps with a new tab or page. Offered on the page are Sony Pictures Studios films like Men In Black, Superbad, the Spider-Man trilogy, and Donnie Brasco.

Yet again, I have to bring up Jim’s old editorial on what he called the “Xbox Exodus.” Xbox Live has been hugely successful, in no small part due to the popular content available for purchase on its Marketplace. If Sony can deliver comparable content (of course, pricing and the availability of high-definition video are key), it would surely draw more users in. We’re waiting with our wallets open, Sony -- bring the goods, and we’ll bring the profits.

[Via Yahoo! News by way of CVG -- thanks, Adam!]


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12 comments | showing # 1 to 12

BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 06/26/2008 07:50
Eh..I could absolutely care less about this unless it is incredibly great. I'll do Blockbuster/Netflix mostly cause I am old school like that.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 06/26/2008 08:06
There will be an exodus, mark my words.
Alexradl's Avatar
Alexradl at 06/26/2008 08:36
So, will there be a rental service like Live has? Or will we only be able to buy the movies? A rental service would be great; a purchase system would be...meh, not so great.
bhive01's Avatar
bhive01 at 06/26/2008 09:12
I can't imagine that they wouldn't have a rent system. I seriously doubt that they would have only a "buy" system. I'd bet that they pretty much copy the iTunes model of distribution and pricing. If they do, they win. Many people bought PS3s for Blu-ray. Sony now has a foothold in many households that Apple wishes it had.

My question is, how many other studios will Sony be able to convince to put their content on PSN. I mean, Sony/Columbia is a competitor to them in the movie industry.
Sueng's Avatar
Sueng at 06/26/2008 09:13
@Alexradl:
How will a rental system be not so great?

Anyways, I wish Sony all the best.
Quest's Avatar
Quest at 06/26/2008 09:33
great i can wait for it .... about the Exodus of Sterling ... real gamers know that the PS3 will be a huge success ... slow start , i agree ,but now it's going for the first place
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 06/26/2008 09:42
All couch potatoes are standing together!
Ocified-Xboxer's Avatar
Ocified-Xboxer at 06/26/2008 11:13
So now Sony has copied a feature from the 360, and they have copied a feature from the Wii...(albeit a quasi-lame feature...Weather? Seriously?).

Next they will be releasing an adapter that will allow you to hook up your Blend-Tec blenders and play the theme song to "Will it Blend" while you make Margaritas with it. It is seriously becoming the all purpose entertainment center that Sony promised. Who needs video games when you can get all this other stuff?

Are there any PS3 only owners that are starting to feel ripped off? I know the extra guy in Top Spin 3 was sweet...So maybe I'm wrong.

I can't stop trolling these insane PS3 press releases.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 06/26/2008 12:45
I still won't use it. Only if they offer a subscription that allows me to watch as many movies as I want will I use it. BDs for me.

@Ocified-Xboxer: Why would anyone feel ripped off when they won't stop announcing new features?
Ocified-Xboxer's Avatar
Ocified-Xboxer at 06/26/2008 15:17
@The Wrath
I know MS is attempting to copy the motion controls...But an avatar isn't exactly a Nintendo creation...If Sony was going to take an idea from Nintendo, make it a good one...I mean we are talking about weather...I know Nintendo didn't invent a weather channel either...But you see the point.

I just realized this was about the movie thing...My initial laugh came at the 'Life with PlayStation" thing. It's a weather channel, and you can watch clouds in real time, from weather sats..ooooohhhhhh!
Takeshi's Avatar
Takeshi at 06/27/2008 05:18
Could be interesting but I'll stick to buying Blu-rays nevertheless.

@Ocified-Xboxer
I don't get it. What is exactly your point? I'm with Brainderailment on this one. I don't feel ripped off. I get the feeling you feel that way.
Ocified-Xboxer's Avatar
Ocified-Xboxer at 06/27/2008 07:36
I don't feel ripped off, i mean, I didn't invent anything...My only point was, in all honesty, that this is sony looking at the competition and adding features to their product from them. I don't think I would be in such a mocking mood if it wasn't for Sonys insane arrogance about how 'complete an experience' the PS3 would be on day 1...Here we are 2 years later and the feature set has been expanded, but what have they added that has any real depth?

Sure, I have my preference when it comes to consles, and that comes from what I enjoy playing and doing. Sony really needs to focus their efforts on games, and not needless extras. The movie thing is a good start to add some real functionality to the online'service', but until they disclose pricing, and if it will be renting or buying I think it is unclear as to how much this helps. If they force you to purchase the movies, that sucks. Because you can't burn the movie onto the blu-ray disc. When it comes to stuff like that, I think it hurts the product.

I'm hardly business savvy enough to tell you whether or not this will be a money maker for Sony, but as a lifelong gamer, I can tell you that Sony needs to refocus their efforts on me. Sure they have released a few really solid game this year, but I still find the system to be lacking. I'm not telling you what is right for you as peoples tastes differ greatly, but I feel like the PS3 tells you you're getting steak, and instead you get tofu in beef broth.
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