Channel 4 and FilmFlex have announced the launch of Film4oD, Film4’s online on-demand service.
Film4oD will house a large selection of films available to rent online, with many available on the same day as their DVD release. There will be more than 500 films available at launch, available to rent from between 50p and £3.99.
The move signals part of the broadcaster’s strategy to broaden its VOD service and experiment with alternative payment models.
"Sarah Milton, Channel 4’s head of VOD content, said, “It represents a different business model to our current ad-funded structure, and film lends itself well to payments.”
Channel 4 will experiment with a variety of payment models in the coming months, said Milton, adding, “Film4oD will provide us with good insight into the willingness of people to pay for content, and their viewing habits.”
This will help it determine whether to launch Film4oD on other devices, such as the PlayStation3, for which it’s soon to launch 4oD.
“Initially it’ll be an online proposition, but once we understand the level of demand for the service we’ll look at other platforms and devices,” said Milton.
The broadcaster is also eyeing closer tie-ups with social networks. “We’re definitely focused on expanding our presence on social networks, and will be looking at all options in the coming months,” she added.
Andrew Keyte, CEO of FilmFlex, said, “We believe streamed movie rental is becoming a much more satisfying choice for many movie fans. The industry has been waiting for a mainstream, mass-market and legitimate online movie service. We’ve built one that has the widest choice of new titles and is as easy to use as 4oD.”
FilmFlex carried out two years of development and consumer research to deliver the service, which allows users not only to browse by genre, title and new releases, but also watch trailers and view box office details.
To celebrate the premiere of In Bruges on the Film4 channel in November, Film4oD will host a season of crime movies under the banner ‘Partners in Crime’, featuring Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Down Terrace and Seven."
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