"Warner On Demand" - Online Video Store In Japan

Warner Entertainment Japan Inc. announced last week the launch of "Warner On Demand", a website where Japanese consumers can rent or buy Warner Bros. films and TV series for the first time ever directly from the Studio via VOD (video-on-demand) and download to own on their PCs and mobile phones. With the new launch of "Warner On Demand" scheduled for release in november 2009, Warner Bros. aims to better their understanding consumers' movie and TV series preferences, building a relationship with them. Warner On Demand customers will receive regular news and updates from the Studio on new movie releases and be able to take part in special promotions and sweepstakes.

To buy content through "Warner On Demand", consumers will need to purchase a series of points, which will be exchanged per transaction for Warner Bros. films or TV content. Consumers will have a wide range of Warner Bros. content, both Film an TV series, from classic catalogue titles through to the latest features, including titles never before released before on DVD.

Warner On Demand will be the only website that offers Warner Bros. content on a download to own basis. Another key feature is the world's first ever "seamless re-screening" function between mobile phones and PCs. Consumers will be able to purchase a film on the Video On Demand basis and if they stop the film in the middle on their PC, they can carry on watching from the same point on their mobile phone, and the reverse is also possible.

Warner Bros. is partnering with Japanese software company Skillup Japan to make this service available.

It is clear that with the huge incursion of downloadable and/or streaming content from service providers such as Netflix, Hulu, and Vudu, Hollywood Studios are suffering for revenue from DVD sales, but Warner Bros may have come up with a viable solution.