By Stevie Smith Dec 27, 2007, 15:38 GMT
Apple’s all-conquering iTunes Store is already the popular online choice for those looking to download music or video-based media, but the accessibility and appeal of iTunes could well be set to blossom following news that Apple is to offer the online rental of movie properties belonging to 20th Century Fox.
20th Century Fox agrees to release rental movie downloads via Apple's iTunes portal. Credit. Fox.
While iTunes already hosts the full retail downloading of movies produced by Paramount Pictures and the Walt Disney company, other major media creators have remained somewhat cautious about committing to fully paid-for downloads because of the potentially damaging impact it could have on DVD sales.
However, that standpoint could shift considerably with 20th Century Fox stepping forward and signing on to provide iTunes users with access to limited-time rental downloads of its latest DVD releases, reports the Financial Times.
Following many months of tireless discussion and dialogue with Hollywood’s leading movie studios, the commitment of Fox could well see more positive reaction in the likes of Sony Pictures and Warner Bros with regard to opening their movie catalogues to Apple’s popular download portal.
Analyst feedback taken from the landmark deal would indicate that Hollywood’s major media players are finally coming to accept that there isn’t a download portal on the Net capable of challenging the dominance of iTunes.
Despite the current online chatter pertaining to the rental deal, neither Apple nor Fox has come forward to confirm or deny its existence at this time.
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