UltraViolet Market Trends:

[LuzRinggold]

Re: UltraViolet Market Trends:

I wasn't talking about CinemaNow. I was trying to compare major VOD storefronts, iTunes, Amazon Instant, and Vudu. These are the ones that almost everyone knows about. The average joe has never heard of CinemaNow, but everyone knows about iTunes, Amazon, and more and more poeple are finding out about vudu.

I understand, but the statement that was made in your original post was not true. If Average Joe had read your post then they would assume that Vudu is the only VOD company doing UV and they would wonder why bother...why invest in building up a video library in the cloud when I can only access it through one company's interface? What would happen if that company closed down? How then would I watch my movies in the cloud?

I first found out about CinemaNow before Vudu and started using them about six years ago...maybe longer. The Blu-ray device that I had purchased came with the CinemaNow app loaded on it and about six months later I bought another Blu-ray that had both CinemaNow and Vudu on it.

UV is not Vudu...but Vudu does support UV along with CinemaNow, M-Go, Flixster, Kaleidescape, Barnes & Noble Nook, and I think there are also services by Paramount and Sony. Other countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK probably have their own companies. Just so we're clear on this, UV is not limited to Vudu, although Vudu is probably the leader of the pack.

Of course VOD is MUCH bigger than the companies mentioned above, Netflix, and Amazon. You also have Hulu, YouTube, LoveFilm, Voddler, Blockbuster, and Flickr just to name a few. And of course all cable and satellite providers offer VOD, but I assume we're talking about internet-based companies. Just remember that VOD is not limited to internet. Oh, and MovieLink and Vongo are two of the VOD companies that failed. We're still waiting on something from Disney.

[echopulse]

Re: UltraViolet Market Trends:

I think you misunderstood my whole point. I was merely pointing out that that vudu is the only MAJOR VOD STOREFRONT that is available on all platforms, and almost every consumer electronics device on the market. CinemaNow, BlockBuster Now, M-Go, and all the other ones are not major VOD storefronts. CinemaNow isn't available on nearly as many devices as vudu, and MGO and BlockbusterNow are available on very few devices with the exception of computers and IOS/Android devices.

[LuzRinggold]

Re: UltraViolet Market Trends:

I think you misunderstood my whole point. I was merely pointing out that that vudu is the only MAJOR VOD STOREFRONT that is available on all platforms, and almost every consumer electronics device on the market. CinemaNow, BlockBuster Now, M-Go, and all the other ones are not major VOD storefronts. CinemaNow isn't available on nearly as many devices as vudu, and MGO and BlockbusterNow are available on very few devices with the exception of computers and IOS/Android devices.

Perhaps, but again...your original statement was that Vudu was the only one on all platforms and that is not true. They support more devices than CinemaNow and M-Go, that is a true statement. Keep an eye on M-Go...they are new but seem to be wanting to grow very fast. If Best Buy would sell CinemaNow to a company that is in a better position to invest in their growth then they too could easily become a much larger player in the VOD and UV game.

If Amazon ever joins UV then they could become a larger UV player than Vudu almost overnight (maybe). They were supposed to be UV compatible, but for some reason changed their mind.

[echopulse]

Re: UltraViolet Market Trends:

NPD Group has a new report with some interesting statistics concerning VOD.

"Transactional VOD use upped 4% to 18% compared to the same period last year."

I think this is largely due to the studio's including UV rights with almost every disc sold. When people redeem those titles, that get's them in the UV ecosytem, and thus more likely to buy or rent from a VOD provider.