Universal titles now on PS3, PSP
Movies, TV shows can be downloaded for both platforms
By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 3/10/2009
MARCH 10 | The last studio holdout is making its movies and TV shows available for download on Sony’s PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable platforms.
NBC Universal inked a deal with Sony Computer Entertainment America to sell movies and TV show downloads for the PS3 and PSP in the U.S. Sony already has deals in place with every other major studio.
Universal’s Oscar-winner Milk, out today on DVD and VOD, and Role Models made their debut on Sony systems, along with other recent releases, as part of the deal. Universal also is offering its current slate of TV shows, including The Office, Heroes and Battlestar Galactica. Universal shows will be available for rental or as a permanent download in standard- and high-definition.
The studios will launch a marketing campaign to promote the new offerings.
Sony now claims a library of 1,300 movies and 4,500 TV episodes, with films from every major studio, something rival Microsoft can’t yet claim for its Xbox 360, which doesn’t offer Sony Pictures films. Universal does offer its films on the Xbox.
On Wednesday, Xbox announced it had signed a deal with The Weinstein Co., adding Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Zack and Miri Make a Porno to its available downloads on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Xbox also added shows from TNA Wrestling.
