GUBA, WB unveil video download service

GUBA today announced its new video service featuring Warner Bros. (WB) Entertainment video content, allowing consumers to rent and buy movies as well as television shows online. GUBA is the first U.S. video sharing community to distribute licensed Warner Bros. Entertainment's content online, and is set to compete with Apple's iTunes Music Store for video downloads by offering more than 200 of the latest movie releases. Such releases include Syriana, Good Night and Good Luck, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Everything is Illuminated, as well as catalog titles such as The Matrix, Batman Forever, and Best in Show. Rental prices start at $1.99 per movie for unlimited views during a 24-hour period. Catalog films will be priced at $9.99, while new releases will retail for $19.99 and become available the same day they are released on DVD in stores. Television shows will start at $1.79 per episode.

Content

Users can keep permanent copies of purchased titles, load purchased titles onto portable devices, and stream purchased as well as rented content through their home network. Viewers can also buy extra viewing days for reduced fees without the need to download the film again.

"GUBA, has been working directly with the Motion Picture Association and has instituted filtering and security measures to ensure the protection of copyrighted films and television content," said Darcy Antonellis, executive vice president of distribution technology and operations for Warner Bros. Technical Operations.

TV programming

TV programming includes Babylon 5, Dukes of Hazzard, The Flintstones and The Jetsons. Users can download and play all video content on compatible home computers, or alternatively stream content to the TV or load it onto portable devices.

"This new service brings premium studio content to an Internet audience in an easy-to-use and intuitive way, without the necessity of downloading additional software. For years we've been making access to online video easy -- now we're bringing that experience to Warner Bros.'s catalog of films and TV shows," said Tom McInerney, CEO and co-founder of GUBA. "Warner Bros. is a pioneer in internet distribution and is creating a new online video rental market. Warner has great content that I know our millions of monthly visitors will enjoy."

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: digital music/video