Amazon in talks for movie, TV downloads

Viewed as competition to Apple's iTunes

By Reuters

March 10, 2006 12:00 PM ET

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IDG News Service - Online retailer Amazon.com Inc is holding talks with three Hollywood studios on creating a service to allow consumers to download movies and television programs and copy them onto DVDs, The New York Times reported today.

Citing three people briefed on the discussions, the Times said Amazon is in advanced negotiations with Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros. The report did not give a timetable or estimated cost of such a service.

Such a fee-based service could compete with new video download options available at Apple Computer Inc.'s popular iTunes digital download store.

In February, sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Amazon is in talks with four major music labels on starting a digital music service.

Warner Bros. is part of Time Warner Inc., Universal Studios is owned by General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal, and Paramount is part of Viacom Inc.

Amazon officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the report.

Reprinted with permission from

IDG.net
Story copyright 2009 International Data Group. All rights reserved.

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