Lovefilm,a British movie rental service, has teamed with Universal Pictures and is planning to offer the first ever download-to-own service set to launch on April 10, 2006. The service will allow users to download movies to their laptop, PC or handheld device. The film's DVD release will coincide with the release of the downloadable version. The first title said to be released is "King Kong." According to a CNN report, Mark Livingstone , Lovefilm's CEO said:
"The time is only 12-18 months away when you will be able to put the kettle on, get the kids ready and then have a great movie ready to watch."
Additionally, 6,500 titles will be released to follow on both Lovefilm and AOL which are both owned by Time Warner. I wonder what kind of traction this product will receive in the United Kingdom and I wonder when it will be introduced in the United States.