Filed under: iPod Family, iTS, Apple
iTunes movie rentals coming, Fox is only studio so far
The Financial Times is reporting that Apple and Twentieth Century Fox have reached a deal to provide movie rentals on the iTunes Store, likely to be announced at Macworld. While Disney sells a full line of films on iTunes and other studios provide catalog titles, this is the first rental arrangement to date. Movies are expected to be downloadable for a limited-play window. Equally important, the agreement is expected to include onboarding of iPod-compatible video files with Fox DVDs, so that iPod users can load and go when the DVD is purchased (rather than ripping the DVD into MP4 video).More details as we get them.
[via PaidContent.org -- thanks Gordon]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Charles Martin said 11:17PM on 12-26-2007
I won't be using the service until they add the ability to view subtitles. My wife is deaf in one ear and needs the subtitles to understand what is being said. Until then, I must continue to rip or use our DVD player.
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Leonard Nimrod said 11:37PM on 12-26-2007
I'm surprised that subtitles haven't already been included in iTunes downloads already since they added subtitle support to the QT frameworks sometime last year.
Perhaps harder to do for TV shows that aired the previous day but asubtitle track should be very easy to setup and include in the M4V file as an option. I've tested it; all the client-side parts are in place.
Mordieu! said 10:54AM on 12-27-2007
Charles, same reason here for me, I only once downloaded a movie via itunes, but found out there was no subtitles, and I was mad. Apple has said they added CC on some of the itunes movies but you have to purchase the movie and download it to find out if subtitles are included or not. Damn it!
puffin said 11:39AM on 12-27-2007
I'm in the exact same boat as you, having a wife who is hard of hearing. We basically will not use any download service until they supply closed captioning functionality.
Rafe H. said 11:31PM on 12-26-2007
I would be psyched to see a Netflix-like business model. Monthly fee, take out 3-4 movies, get a new one when you return one.
Daniel Dilger (roughlydrafted.com) wrote about this once.
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Simon Arch said 11:58PM on 12-26-2007
Hm. This is very interesting. Of course I'll believe it when I see it, but this could entice me to pay Apple for content. Like Charles I want subtitles, so if they don't offer them I won't bite, but if they do...
Honestly, I'm surprised they haven't been sued for failing to provide at least CC on their videos. I know Quicktime (and by extension iTunes) is capable of displaying CC so I don't know why they've been so reticent to add it. It'd certainly be a boon for those of us who are hearing impaired. I'm hardly deaf, but I need subtitles because I have trouble hearing speech against a noisy background. I can only imagine how much more people like Charles's wife need the captioning. Are you listening, Apple? (no pun intended...)
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Nik said 12:41AM on 12-27-2007
I'm sure to drop Netflix if Apple offers this service. In addition, I hope they can work things out with NBC. I had to resort to bittorrent sites this season to get Weeds.
Bootes said 8:52AM on 12-27-2007
Weeds is from Showtime which is owned by CBS, not NBC.
Wissig said 8:19AM on 12-27-2007
Apple makes a deal with the Devil... not good. Will Hell next freeze over?
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Jon said 8:36AM on 12-27-2007
Why is this a deal with the devil? I would actually prefer to rent than to buy for the majority of films.
boatofcar said 6:44PM on 12-27-2007
Because all big companies are evil! Didn't you learn anything in your 20's?
Galley said 8:37AM on 12-27-2007
The portable version of the movie sounds great, but I no longer buy DVDs, only Blu-ray Discs. I might be interested in the rental service, however.
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Jose said 8:43AM on 12-27-2007
All I can say is they better allow me to rent the movies in HD resolutions... or I am staying with Netflix.
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Zak said 11:38AM on 12-27-2007
I would think that by default the iTunes rentals would also include Disney/Pixar movies, in addition to the Fox titles. I'm also curious to see if HD is in the offerings.
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DarleenMB said 11:56AM on 12-27-2007
Second time trying to post this.
I cannot believe that some of you are already hauling out the lawyers. That sense of entitlement being evidenced by some is just getting on my nerves.
First of all it isn't even a done deal yet. Secondly there are MANY more options out there.
I'm going to wait and see if it doesn't suit MY needs I'll happily continue on as before. I'd suggest the rest of you do the same.
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Paula said 1:02PM on 1-16-2008
II've been blogging about Apple and its failure to include the deaf and hard of heairng communities in its technology for quite a while now. I'm anxiously awaiting a "final answer on Apple's discussion forums here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6345701#6345701
P
People with hearing loss are hoping that Apple will listen sonner rather than later. If you'd like to chime in, here's the info: http://www.hearingexchange.com/blogs/?p=112
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Tony G said 6:55PM on 1-16-2008
There are about 22 movies are closed caption. Still counting. I don't want to list all of it, but I've already rented "Italian Job" then downloaded it to my Ipod Touch. It really does display captions. No words can describe how I felt, but it's about time!
Tony G said 9:37AM on 1-17-2008
Apple Itune now offer about 22 movies that are closed captions and still counting. I don't want to list all of it, but I've already rented "Italian Job" then downloaded it to my Ipod Touch. It really does display captions. No words can describe how I felt, but it's about time!
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Paula Rosenthal said 7:14PM on 1-16-2008
Hi Tony, Thanks for the reply. Is this for movies you buy or downloadable movies you rent?