When will iTunes broaden into movie downloads? Early chatter pointed to a difficult negotiation process between Apple and Hollywood studios, with pricing a major sticking point. But recent comments by Lions Gate Entertainment executives pointed to progressing discussions and deals. “We also have digital delivery deals in place with CinemaNow, MovieLink, and iTunes,” company CFO Jon Feltheimer said during a recent quarterly earnings call. President Steve Beeks supplied additional launch details. “In terms of iTunes movie downloads, I think most likely some time before the end of the year,” Beeks said. “We know when they are planning on launching, but since they have not announced it publicly, I do not think it is our place to say anything more about that.”
Negotiations with other major studios are also reportedly progressing or being finalized, though the Lionsgate comments offer the strongest confirmation to date. Meanwhile, others are also expected to tussle in the movie download space, including Amazon and Netflix, and more details will continue to surface over the next few months. On the device end, rumors continue to point a broad-screen iPod, capable of handling movies within a touch-screen architecture.
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