Microsoft and LOVEFiLM, Europe’s largest subscription service – streaming movies and TV episodes over the Internet and sending DVDs by post – have today announced a partnership that will make LOVEFiLM part of the next generation of TV entertainment, bringing the service to millions of Xbox 360 users across the UK and Germany.
The agreement between the two leading home entertainment companies sees LOVEFiLM become an official Xbox LIVE integrated film service provider and is the next step in LOVEFiLM’s strategy for multi-platform delivery – offering streaming on the LOVEFiLM Player, through the PC, iPad®, in-home connected living room devices, PlayStation®3 and soon, Xbox 360.
UK and German LOVEFiLM members will be able to instantly stream thousands of titles from major studios and independents, in addition to the rental by post service. Exclusive content available to stream includes the global phenomenon The Twilight Saga, Unknown, starring Liam Neeson and thriller Source Code, starringJake Gyllenhaal – to name a few.
With Kinect for Xbox 360, user interaction will be made more personal and intuitive, with the ability to effortlessly control the LOVEFiLM Player App through motion, gestures and voice commands. This interactivity will revolutionise the way film fans manage their movie selection and engage with LOVEFiLM.
Simon Calver, CEO of LOVEFiLM said:
“This is an exciting and important deal for our customers and is the next move in LOVEFiLM’s strategy of helping as many homes as possible connect to our service. We want to be the first choice for UK and German customers to get the best entertainment. Xbox LIVE already has a large consumer base of all ages – all of whom will now be able to connect with our great content, whether TV series’, exclusive digital films or DVDs, Blu-rays and games by post, all for one simple price
We are pleased to announce this partnership as both parties really focus on giving customers exciting and innovative services. We are proud to be a part of Microsoft’s expansion into the entertainment space and confident it will help fuel our ambition to become Europe’s largest membership entertainment service.”
Stephen McGill, Director of Xbox & Entertainment for Microsoft UK said:
“Microsoft is very excited to be welcoming LOVEFiLM to Xbox LIVE. I feel certain that the opportunity to interact with LOVEFiLM’s amazing catalogue of studio and independent film releases using Kinect-enabled voice and gesture commands will be well received by Xbox owners here in the UK.”
Members will be able to scroll through titles on the page, search through categories including ‘Pick of the Week’, ‘Most Watched’ and ‘Highest Rated’, view ratings and search through the LOVEFiLM instant offering by title, actor and genre.
Pushbutton CEO, Paula Byrne, added “Xbox is the perfect canvas for designers and developers of interactive media services to create exciting user interfaces. We are very excited about this announcement from LOVEFiLM and Microsoft. The future for film-loving Xbox owners looks bright indeed.”
