Warner Bros. will become the first major studio to deliver a download-to-own movie day-and-date with a DVD release when Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire goes on sale in the Netherlands and the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. The plan is part of licensing agreement that makes nearly 100 Warner Bros. films available for download from Free Record Shop, a leading specialty retailer in the Netherlands.
Goblet will be available for download a www.freerecordshop.nl starting at midnight on April 4. Customers will also be able to choose from a number of Warner Bros. releases ranging from recent hits to catalogue favorites. Initial offerings will include Ocean’s Twelve, Constantine the Matrix trilogy, Lethal Weapon 4, Casablanca, Doctor Zhivago and Gone with the Wind.
“We are excited to be the first studio to deliver secure and legal download-to-own films through the Internet simultaneous with the film’s DVD debut, comments Kevin Tsujihara, president of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. “By continuing to partner with local services around the world, Warner Bros. is finding innovative ways to engage with the local culture and community.’ Tsujihara adds that the move is also intended to help combat piracy by providing high quality, legal downloads at an affordable price.
Free Record Shop operates approximately 185 locations in The Netherlands, distributing music, movies, games, books, tickets and more through its brick & mortar shops and online through www.freerecordshop.nl.
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