MUMBAI: Kaleidescape has announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution to offer films for purchase. In addition, the company will upgrade all Warner Bros. titles purchased through the Kaleidescape Store to UltraViolet in March 2013 - giving users a way to enjoy their collection across their various devices.
This agreement also enables a Kaleidescape owner to convert Warner Bros. titles that were previously imported to their Kaleidescape movie server to UltraViolet or to upgrade their Warner Bros. titles from standard definition to high definition - both for a small fee.
UltraViolet is an industry wide initiative that was launched last year in the US. It gives consumers the ability to buy and collect movies and TV shows from any authorized retailer, and download or stream the content to a wide range of connected devices such as compatible Internet-connected TVs, Blu-ray players, smartphones and tablets. Over seven million consumers have registered for UltraViolet to unlock their digital film and television libraries and enjoy a more convenient and accessible entertainment experience.Kaleidescape develops movie servers that it says redefine how film enthusiasts purchase, organize and enjoy their movie collections. It has a user interface that gives viewers flexibility and control over the movies they watch.
Kaleidescape founder, chairman, CEO Michael Malcolm said, "We couldn‘t be more excited about working with Warner Bros. and offering this extensive catalogue of well-known and well-loved titles to our customers. In addition, the inclusion of UltraViolet in our service will give owners of Kaleidescape movie servers a whole new way to enjoy their content."
Through this licensing agreement, Kaleidescape System owners will initially have the ability to buy thousands of Warner Bros. titles via the Kaleidescape Store including the ‘Harry Potter‘ series and ‘The Lord of the Rings." When UltraViolet functionality is launched in March 2013, available titles that are purchased now will be automatically upgraded to UltraViolet at no additional charge. These titles can then be easily accessed through UltraViolet compatible applications including Flixster - a movie discovery application. With over 60 million downloads of the app to date, Flixster makes finding, managing and enjoying movies and TV shows simple.
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution president Thomas Gewecke said, "Kaleidescape is well-known for its user-friendly system that lets consumers access and watch movies from their home collections with the touch of a button. Now their users have the same one-touch simplicity with purchasing new movies electronically. UltraViolet will extend its ease-of-use further, with automatic upgrades for purchased titles and even more ways to watch movie libraries both at home and on the go."
