AOL Video Adds Movie Downloads

AOL said Thursday that it had signed agreements with four movie studios to bring digital movie downloads to its AOL Video service, which complements a previously announced relationship with 17 networks announced in July. Download pricing ranges from $9.99 to $19.99 USD per movie.

Consumers would be able to view downloaded content on Windows-based computers, or portable media centers that support the Windows Media digital rights management format.

The agreements are with 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, and include in some cases television programming as well. For example, the deal with Fox also covers content from Fox, Fox Classic, FX, Speed and Fuel TV.

Sony would also contribute to two new on-demand channels on top of the 50-plus already available through AOL Video. AXN would include full-length episodes of "Charlie's Angels," "Starsky & Hutch," and "SWAT," while FunnyBone would stream hit comedies from the studio.

AOL said it had plans to add additional channels to the on-demand lineup in coming months.

"Viewing online digital content is no longer an esoteric pastime," said Benjamin Feingold, President of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Digital Distribution and Acquisitions. "Online programming services like AOL's video portal have the potential to become a major distribution stream for consumer entertainment and a viable revenue source for Hollywood."