MEDIA RELEASE PR32018
Warner Bros. Becomes First Hollywood Studio to Release Movies Through Video-on-
Demand Prior to Release of DVD in Korea
LONDON, Sept 30 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -
- Studio to Make Movies Available Two Weeks Prior to DVD Release
In a move aimed at taking full advantage of Korea's extraordinary
digital infrastructure, Warner Bros. today announced plans to become the
first Hollywood studio to make movies available through video-on-demand two
weeks before the DVD release in Korea.
The announcement today was made by Thomas Gewecke, President,
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.
"Korea is the ideal market for us to expand our digital
distribution strategy," said Gewecke. "There is already a broad base of
consumers who are immersed in technology and very comfortable getting movies
through video-on-demand or similar services, and I am proud of the team that
made it possible for us to be the first U.S. studio to offer this service to
fans of Warner Bros. movies in Korea."
Warner plans to launch a test in Korea in the coming weeks,
making new release titles available through video-on-demand two weeks before
the DVD release. Specific titles will be announced as they become available.
"More than 94% of the households in South Korea have broadband
connections," added Henry Cho, Director, South Korea Warner Bros. Digital
Distribution. "This new service is just one of the ways Warner Bros. is
offering more convenience and choices that fit people's lifestyles."
Additionally, providing reliable, high quality, legitimate
digital product to consumers on a timely basis is part of the Studio's
efforts to compete with piracy.
"According to the Korean Film Council, more than 47% of people
surveyed said they had downloaded movies from the Internet at least once,"
said Harrison Lee, Managing Director, Warner Home Video Korea. "This combined
with an advanced digital infrastructure makes Korea the perfect market for us
to test this service since many Korean consumers are already in the habit of
getting their movies digitally."
About Warner Bros. Digital Distribution
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) was founded in October
2005 to manage Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group's electronic
distribution streams over existing, new and emerging digital platforms,
including pay-per-view, electronic sell-through, transactional
video-on-demand, subscription video-on-demand, wireless and more. WBDD also
oversees the WBHEG's worldwide digital strategy, partnerships in digital
services and emerging new clients and business activities in the digital
space.
About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner
Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution, interactive
entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVD production, technical operations and
anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation
distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of
content through DVD, electronic sell-through and transactional VOD, and
delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a
significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame
titles.
SOURCE: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group
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