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June
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Playstation 3 download service may also include PSP, doesn't have other studios yet

As promised in my earlier post, I spent the day doing some reporting on Sony's PS3 video download service that's launching this summer. You can get the full story right here on Variety.com.

Turns out Sony is thinking about offering more than the same features as Xbox Live. In addition to standard movie rentals, it's talking to potential partners about allowing users to transfer movie downloads to the PSP. It's also thinking about working with the company's own Blu-ray disc format so that users might be able to transfer a copy off the hi-def DVD onto a PS3 or PSP (similar to the "digital copy" for iPods that some studios are starting to offer on DVDs).

But while Sony may feel confident video downloads will be ready to go this summer, it doesn't exactly have a big library lined up. Sources at numerous major studios confirmed to me that while they have all talked to Sony, none have yet made a deal. The only one that's definitely on board so far is, for obvious reasons, Sony Pictures.

Of course, if Sony just offers the same options as Xbox Live, it won't have any trouble getting more content since those deals have become pretty much de rigeur in the industry. But if it is indeed looking to do more, that would be a more complicated deal and could mean the PS3 video download store will launch with a more limited offering.

I should note, of course, that that's not necessarily a bad thing. Xbox Live Video Marketplace debuted in late 2006 with only Warner and Paramount but went on to add most of the Hollywood majors, including Fox, Disney, MGM, New Line, and a ton of TV networks.

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Comments

The details released so far do say you can purchase standard resolution movies and 'rent' HD movies.

Just out of interest, the studios may not have signed up yet because the deal isn't rock solid. Sony owns so many studios I am sure it won't have trouble providing their films and TV shows. These include Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, Sony Pictures Animation, Screen Gems, Triumph Films, Destination Films and are also consortium members of MGM Holdings which includes Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, MGM Animation, United Artists, The Samuel Goldwyn Company, etc.
Sony are one of the top five major film studios (5th this year so far, 4th last year and 1st the year before).

I bet that you won't be able to own the movies that you download from the Sony service. Still, no one has been able to explain why you can't purchase a movie or tv show via download.

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Variety video games reporter and reviews editor Ben Fritz tracks the business of games and their intersection with Hollywood. Tips, feedbacks, hate mail to ben-dot-fritz-at-variety.com


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