Google bolsters up Play Movies with early access to new flicks and 600 new HD titles from Fox

Ever since Google rebranded the Android Market to the Play Store, we have all seen a number of enhancements, additions and improvements. They have been hard at work to take what was once just a go to place for apps and games for our devices and turned it into a complete multimedia digital experience. Crossing the boundaries from your mobile phone and tablet to your PC and even to your TV. One reason behind the branding change was to help show content providers that Android and Google are about services and content, not just games and apps. Lets face it, the term ‘Android Market’ does lead people to think only Android devices can utilize it. That isn’t the case though. By changing to the Play Store, they have started working even harder with content providers and bringing some big names on board that were hesitant at first.

The latest addition comes from a partnership with Twentieth Century Fox.

“With almost 800 million broadband connected devices globally, and millions of people accessing entertainment on those devices, we feel the medium’s time has come,” said Mike Dunn, President Worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. “DIGITAL HDâ„¢ redefines digital ownership in a way that presents consumers with a full range of benefits in a coherent way, and it allows them the chance to build digital movie collections that can literally be carried in the palms of their hands. ”

It is easy to see why Fox is on board. The partnership has some pretty amazing benefits. For one, Fox will be offering up early access to many HD movies before they are even released to the market. For instance, PROMETHEUS is available for you to purchase digitally in HD for less than the Blue-Ray DVD version. The extra perk, the Movie isn’t set to hit store shelves to for general purchase for another 3 weeks. So you can have it now, watch it now and impress your friends, legally.

It is great to see Google filling up the Movie section of the Play Store with great content from great movie studios. Will the new additions and early access to HD versions of movies that aren’t even on the shelves yet prompt you to go more digital?

Go snag PROMETHEUS from Google Play Movies for $14.99 in HD. No standard version available yet.

Full press release below

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX ADVANCES ENTERTAINMENT WITH

DIGITAL HDâ„¢

Digital Model Expands Ownership Experience with HD, Affordable Pricing and Early Access

Up to 600 Digital HD™ Movies Available Immediately from Fox in over 50 Countries

 

LOS ANGELES – Sept. 18, 2012– Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment today announced the launch of DIGITAL HDâ„¢ — a new initiative that allows consumers to download or stream their favorite Fox movies on a variety of connected devices. Customized for today’s digital lifestyles, more than 600 Fox films can now be enjoyed anywhere, anytime in amazing high-definition immediately in the U.S. from Amazon, CinemaNow, Google Play, iTunes, PlayStation, VUDU, Xbox Live and YouTube.

The epic sci-fi thriller PROMETHEUS is also available today on DIGITAL HD™ for less than $15, arriving three weeks before Blu-ray, DVD and video-on-demand (VOD).

Digital HD™ combines four key benefits into one offering with earlier access to new releases, attractive pricing, cloud storage and availability across multiple devices.  Whether the plan involves watching Fox movies on connected HDTVs in your living room, or on your tablet or smartphone on the run, Digital HD™ offers up versatility and convenience.

“With almost 800 million broadband connected devices globally, and millions of people accessing entertainment on those devices, we feel the medium’s time has come,” said Mike Dunn, President Worldwide, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. “DIGITAL HDâ„¢ redefines digital ownership in a way that presents consumers with a full range of benefits in a coherent way, and it allows them the chance to build digital movie collections that can literally be carried in the palms of their hands. ”

“Available in more than 50 countries, DIGITAL HD™ is a brand that will define the convenience and selection that digital ownership brings,” added Mary Daily, President of Worldwide Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. “Over time, DIGITAL HD™ will embody the benefits of HD quality and the ultimate all-access pass to the best in entertainment.”

Today’s launch will coincide with the most extensive all-digital media campaign to date for digital movies that will reach over 100 million active movie viewers across online retailer sites and through the No. 1 sports, music and gaming sites.

PROMETHEUS on DIGITAL HDâ„¢ is also Fox’s first UltraViolet-enabled title. Additional DIGITAL HDâ„¢ new releases this year include ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT, THE WATCH and DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS.

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital HDâ„¢. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.