Blockbuster, Sonic Solutions forge Web movie deal

MARIN COUNTY, Calif. and DALLAS Blockbuster and movie content service provider Sonic Solutions have formed a partnership to give consumers access to a vast library of premium digital entertainment across a wide assortment of home and mobile electronic devices, the companies reported. Under the multi-year, preferred-provider agreement, Blockbuster will supply the branded consumer interfaces and Sonic will power content delivery across PC and consumer electronic devices.

The two companies are collaborating with a host of consumer electronic (CE) manufacturers, including Sonic's existing CinemaNow providers, to expand the ecosystem of interoperable devices offering the Blockbuster service. These devices include PCs, portable media players, Blu-ray Disc players, personal video recorders (PVRs), set-top boxes, mobile phones and Web-connected television sets. Additionally, the two companies will make their digital libraries of mainstream content available under the Blockbuster brand resulting in one of the most expansive VOD (video on demand) and EST (electronic sell-through) offerings in the marketplace.

"We are excited to be partnering with Sonic, the industry's leading entertainment delivery and technology provider, to make Blockbuster's digital entertainment service easily and instantly available to consumers through the widest range of devices available in the marketplace," said Jim Keyes, Blockbuster Chairman and CEO. "Blockbuster is a ubiquitous entertainment presence in the physical world. Through this alliance with Sonic, we plan to become a ubiquitous presence in the digital world as well. Our goal is to offer consumers the most digital content, the most accessibility, via the most devices, both in- and out of home."