Best Buy, Sonic Solutions Team up to Offer New Digital Video Service
May 19, 2010 - By Justin E. Gehrke
Yesterday, electronics mega-store Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) announced the launch of a new digital video service. Known as CinemaNow, the service is a result of the company’s partnership with Sonic Solutions. Consumers will be able to stream movies and television shows, to include, in many cases, new releases on the same day they go on sale in stores.
Best Buy is obviously hoping to cash in on the new market for on-demand media provided by digital media competitors like the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon.com, and Netflix. Initial functionality will be limited to internet-capable, LG Electronics Blu-ray Disc players and home theater systems and is expected to begin later this month. According to a Best Buy official news release, internet-capable devices from additional manufacturers should be available by the end of 2010.
The service is built upon the RoxioNow platform but will operate under the name CinemaNow, which is a registered trademarked of Best Buy. One of the positive aspects for consumers is the lack of a requirement to enter into a subscription program. Those with supported Blue-ray Disc players and HDTVs will be able to browse and order content much in the same way cable customers have been able to access On-demand entertainment.
According to Best Buy, the move is a result of the company’s efforts to adapt to the changing demands of tech-saavy customers. Chris Homeister, Senior VP of Entertainment at Best Buy, said, “The convenience, selection and flexibility of the CinemaNow service offers customers more freedom in the way they choose to consume entertainment from Best Buy.”
With confirmed partners like LG, Insignia, Fox Home Entertainment, and Sonic Solutions (the parent company of Roxio), the service seems to be built on a solid foundation of industry experience. Initial updates to the debuting CinemaNow service are already in the works and are slated to improve both the user interface and add useful video playback features.
