Apple launches iTunes UK film downloads

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Apple has finally given the go ahead so that movie fans in the UK can now rent and buy films through Apple's iTunes music store.

The company announced a series of deals with major Hollywood studios enabling them to offer films to the UK market. Customers will be able to download the films to their computers, and watch them on a PC or Mac, or transfer them to their iPod, iPhone or Apple TV set-top box. The cost of buying a film will range from £6.99 for classic "library" titles to £10.99 for new releases.

Movie rentals will start at £2.49 for library titles, and £3.49 for the latest blockbusters. High-definition versions of movies will costs £1 more in all instances. The prices offerings mean UK customers will pay significantly more for their movie rentals than their US counterparts. Classic movies cost $2.99 (£1.50) to rent in the US, with new releases priced at $3.99 (£2).

Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive, has in the past blamed such pricing discrepancies on VAT, and the fact that doing business in the UK is "more expensive" than in the US.

Apple said that customers with broadband internet connections will be able to start watching a film within seconds of choosing to rent it, and will then have 30 days to watch their rented movie before the download expires.

(1 reply) #1 teleprompt on 05 Jun 2008 - 11:40

30 days is cool. Charter on demand let's you keep rented video for 24 hours

#1.1 acnpt on 05 Jun 2008 - 12:00

Yep it sounds really good, but it doesn't say how many times you can watch it.

(3 replies) #2 Brodel on 05 Jun 2008 - 11:47

The prices offerings mean UK customers will pay significantly more for their movie rentals than their US counterparts.

Surprise!

#2.1 creamhackered on 05 Jun 2008 - 11:50

Yeah total joke! Sort it out Apple and don't blame it on tax!

#2.2 Powerless on 05 Jun 2008 - 22:55

(creamhackered said @ #2.1)

I don't think Apple are to blame.

#2.3 Julius Caro on 05 Jun 2008 - 23:28

Not to mention that some UK providers cap the total amount of monthly data right?
DVDs are cheaper!!

(2 replies) #3 boho on 05 Jun 2008 - 12:10

What is the point viewing pocket sizes movies? If the film is any good, then it is best experienced at the cinema, failing that,
on a nice big screen DVD. What is it with the postage stamp sized blurred image YouTube generation? Why on earth do film makers go to all the trouble of creating expensive master-pieces, so sad people can watch them on their phone!
Am I missing something? Is this the reason why our Internet connections are going to s##t

#3.1 ccuk on 05 Jun 2008 - 15:45

What do you mean?

#3.2 Julius Caro on 05 Jun 2008 - 23:29

In the US itunes offers 640x480 movies, in europe I guess they'll go 576p/i, which is SDTV quality, which is supposed to look exactly like a DVD on an SDTV. So no youtube generation here!

(3 replies) #4 plan-9 on 05 Jun 2008 - 15:05

They also made movies available in Canada yesterday. Not really the greatest prices. Think its like $3.99 per rental. Or up to $19 to buy. Honestly wtf? The industry just doesnt get it. Why would I buy from itunes if I could go out and rent the movie without having to wait for it to download from blockbuster? Or go to a shop and buy the movie and have all the packaging and no wait for the same price if not lower?
I know this isnt Apples fault either. Its god damn retarded. Then they wonder why people dont use services like this here.

#4.1 tinyman on 05 Jun 2008 - 16:47

Well said that man!

plan-9 has got it spot on, I would rather buy the real DVD for UK prices like that

#4.2 heroinsmoker on 05 Jun 2008 - 19:16

Well, depending on the speed of your connection films downloading can be watched pretty damn quickly... And one reason to download rather than go to Blockbuster is to save you the trip (and the gas) of going there and back!

But i agree that the price needs to be lower, even in the US. Otherwise Netflix will clean up...

#4.3 C_Guy on 06 Jun 2008 - 14:30

Heh. I'd much rather spend the extra $1 and get the movie on, oh I don't know... a DVD!!! Those things play on my television or my computer, the screens are so big and scary compared to iPod screens. Steve should try it sometime. C'mon, it's only a buck more!

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