FOSTER CITY, Calif. and ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) and NBC Universal today announced that movies from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and television programs from NBC Universal will be available for purchase on PlayStation(R)Network, which is accessible for download via PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) and PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) systems in the United States. Today's announcement makes PlayStation Network a premiere platform to access content from every major motion picture studio.
New movie download releases, such as the irreverent hit comedy Role Models and the Academy(R) Award-winning movie Milk, will be available beginning today for download to own. Other recently released and library titles from Universal Pictures and Focus Features, such as Wanted, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Death Race, The Incredible Hulk, Burn After Reading, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and The Big Lebowski, will also be offered for download to own in SD (Standard Definition) or to rent in both HD (High Definition) and SD.
An initial lineup of NBC Universal television programs will include popular and hit shows such as NBC's The Office, Heroes and 30 Rock, as well as SCI FI's Battlestar Galactica and Eureka. Episodes will be available for purchase the day after they air in both SD and HD. Previous seasons and additional programs will be added in addition to content from the extensive NBC Universal television library. NBC Universal and PlayStation Network will also be heavily promoting the availability of HD content by launching a joint campaign to create awareness of these hit shows in the highest quality experience.
NBC Universal will provide PlayStation Network users with a variety of attractive ways to purchase and view movies and TV shows, including varying price points depending on the content and format (HD or SD).
"In just over seven months our video delivery service has grown by leaps and bounds, making PlayStation the premier purveyor of online movie and television content for nearly 9 million PlayStation Network registered accounts in the US," said Peter Dille, Senior Vice President of Marketing and PlayStation Network, SCEA. "The addition of NBC Universal television content adds to our Network's diversity while Universal Studios Home Entertainment's movies establishes PlayStation Network as a premiere platform to access content from every major motion picture studio. Whether consumers choose to be entertained at home through PS3 or on-the-go with their PSP, PlayStation delivers an unparalleled combination of versatile and rich entertainment hardware, software and online services."
With the addition of NBC Universal, the video delivery service is now home to over 1,300 movies and more than 4,500 TV episodes, many available in both SD and HD, making the PS3 system the ultimate entertainment platform, and the PSP system a leader in portable entertainment. Additionally, PlayStation Network now offers movies in HD from all major motion picture studios and gives PS3 users the largest selection of movies on any gaming platform.
"We are constantly looking for new ways to bring our content to our viewers, and are thrilled to offer a selection of both television shows and movies to PlayStation users," said Jean-Briac (JB) Perrette, President, NBC Universal Digital Distribution.
"The home entertainment experience continues to evolve and families are increasingly looking for activities within the home to power their leisure time," said Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms. "Combining our celebrated film and television content with the explosive appeal of Sony's gaming devices presents consumers with a terrific value proposition, granting them choice, flexibility and easy access to NBC Universal titles, all with a push of a button."
Usage rules of the video delivery service allow content for purchase to be shared on multiple activated devices including PS3 and PSP systems per PlayStation Network account, depending on the type of content purchased by the user. One of the main value propositions of the PlayStation Network's video delivery service is the ability to transfer SD content from PS3 system to PSP system. For one price, consumers can transfer and view certain types of content on multiple devices. The connectivity between PS3 system and PSP system provides a seamless solution for those looking for a variety of entertainment experiences.
For more information about the content available on PlayStation Network visit: http://www.us.playstation.com
About PlayStation(R)Network
The PlayStation(R)Network is an emergent entertainment network aimed at digitally delivering innovative content and fostering community for a worldwide audience. In addition to offering new and original forms of entertainment, the PlayStation(R)Network supports free and community-centric online gameplay, communications tools, and PSP and PS3 connectivity. As of February 2009, the PlayStation Network has more than 20M registered accounts worldwide.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its digital services PlayStation(R)Network and PlayStation(R)Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment systems and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
About NBC Universal Digital Distribution:
NBC Universal Digital Distribution is a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBC Universal Digital Distribution drives the company's North American distribution of content across the Internet, wireless and other emerging platforms, and leads content strategy and development for offerings that include video on demand (VOD), electronic-sell-through (EST), interactive television, and wireless products and services (WAP, SMS, etc.).
About Universal Studios Home Entertainment:
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios ( www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.
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