With Movie Central EXPRESS, Subscribers Watch What They Want, When They Want
Corus Entertainment Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. announced today the introduction of Canada’s first subscription-based Video-on-Demand (SVOD) service, Movie Central EXPRESS. SVOD technology allows a customer to access a library of feature films and series from major Hollywood studios and other program providers on a video-on-demand basis, while paying a monthly subscription fee rather than a per transaction fee. Movie Central EXPRESS will be launched in Calgary in November 2002.
“Movie Central EXPRESS puts viewers in the driver’s seat,” says Andrew Eddy, Vice President and General Manager, Corus Premium Television. “This service combines unprecedented convenience with access to an expanding range of major Hollywood programming. We’re delighted to be working with Shaw on a service that offers viewers the ultimate television experience.”
As a companion offering to Corus’ multi-channel pay-TV service, Movie Central EXPRESS will provide Shaw with exclusive programming from its extensive output agreements including feature film releases such as Planet of the Apes, Dr. Dolittle 2 and Behind Enemy Lines from Twentieth Century Fox and Ali, Vertical Limit and Riding in Cars with Boys from Columbia Tristar. The service will also include theatrical films from Canadian distributors Lions Gate Films and TVA Films Inc., including Monsters Ball and Mulholland Dr. The library will be expanded to include episodes from some of television’s most talked-about series and specials.
Shaw Cable customers who subscribe to Movie Central, Western Canada’s premium pay-TV service, can add this SVOD service to their subscription for a monthly fee of $5.99. Movie Central EXPRESS gives subscribers unlimited access to the feature films and series available on Movie Central that month. With SVOD, viewers can select and view these programs at their convenience and can pause, rewind or fast-forward the program during viewing.
“We’re very excited to offer our customers this outstanding lineup of movies and programming as part of our video-on-demand service,” said Michael D’Avella, Senior VP, Planning, Shaw Communications Inc. “This is another great service that enhances the value of our digital and high-speed Internet bundles and ensures our customers have access to the latest entertainment and broadband technologies and services,” he added.