LOVEFiLM boosts streaming content with exclusive deal with Icon

LEEDS, ENGLAND, January 09, 2011 (Press-News.org) LOVEFiLM has struck another major content deal for streaming rights following an exclusive agreement with Icon Film Distribution, one of the UK's leading suppliers of theatrical feature films, to offer LOVEFiLM members Icon film releases instantly through the LOVEFiLM Player.

Members of LOVEFiLM, Europe's largest subscription service streaming movies and TV episodes over the internet and sending DVDs by post, will be able to watch movies online from Icon's 2010 release slate at no extra cost as part of their subscription package. Major films never-seen-before on any subscription or TV movie service will be available only to LOVEFiLM members for one year. The LOVEFiLM Player is available on PCs and direct-to-TV through Samsung and Sony internet-enabled devices and, most recently, PlayStation 3.

These will include huge box office hits such as the multi Academy Award nominated Precious, The Road (starring Viggo Mortensen), Edge of Darkness (starring Mel Gibson and Ray Winstone) and A Single Man (directed by Tom Ford and starring Colin Firth), among many others. Dozens of Icon's library titles will also be added to the LOVEFiLM Player as part of the agreement.

Simon Calver, CEO of LOVEFiLM said:
"The fact that film producers and distributors like Icon are beginning to choose LOVEFiLM as the home for their top titles is a huge endorsement of the popularity of LOVEFiLM's streaming service. LOVEFiLM members are passionate about film and we are passionate about growing the platforms on which we can get great content directly to their TVs as part of their subscription."

Ian Dawson, Managing Director of Icon Film Distribution said:
"We are delighted to be working with LOVEFiLM to bring some of our biggest award winning hits of the past year and our best library titles to the fast growing streaming service. LOVEFiLM continue to innovate and we believe that their passionate film loving members will appreciate the boost to the wide range of quality movies available."

To find out how to watch movies online and other ways to view your favourite films and TV shows, visit http://www.lovefilm.com

For further information please contact the LOVEFiLM.com press office at Mischief on 0207 100 9999 or lovefilm@mischiefpr.com

NOTES TO EDITORS
About LOVEFiLM
• In a little over 6 years, LOVEFiLM has become a leading European film subscription service, combining the benefits of DVD rental by post and, more recently, watching movies online via the LOVEFiLM Player (on the PC, the PlayStation 3 or streamed direct to TV). Customers can therefore choose how they want to watch from a selection of over 70,000 titles, including HD/Blu-ray DVDs, video games and digital streaming
• LOVEFiLM was a pioneer in digital film delivery in the UK since launching the first download to own movie in April 2006. The LOVEFiLM Player launched in March 2010 with thousands of digital titles available for members to watch on their TV, PC or PlayStation 3. For those on an Unlimited or capped package the service comes at no extra cost. Premium titles are available to everyone on a pay-per-view basis, and a number of titles are available to all site visitors for free with advertising support
• LOVEFiLM is an official PlayStation 3 integrated subscription film service partner
• LOVEFiLM is also available through a range of internet-enabled devices - including Sony and Samsung - taking LOVEFiLM directly into members' living rooms through their TV sets
• LOVEFiLM has over 1.4 million members and operates in the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany
• LOVEFiLM weekly newsletters reach over one million members
• LOVEFiLM customers have generated 80 million ratings, 843,000 member reviews and generate around 2 million trailer views per month - information which helps LOVEFiLM to promote the most relevant titles for customers to choose from
• LOVEFiLM also sells DVDs, Blu-ray and video games through the LOVEFiLM shop
• LOVEFiLM is Hitwise's 2009 Number 1 website based on market share of visits among all UK websites in the Entertainment - Movies industry (ranked 4th in the Shopping and Classifieds - Video and Games industry)
• LOVEFiLM offers a range of rental options in each market with free postage and no late fees. In the UK these include GBP4.99 a month allowing members to have one DVD at a time (limit of two per month. Does not include online viewing), GBP5.99 a month for one DVD at a time (limit of three per month plus 2 hours online viewing ), GBP7.99 for two DVDs at a time (limit of four per month plus 4 hours online viewing), GBP9.99 a month for one DVD out at a time (Unlimited DVDs by post and online viewing), GBP12.99 for two at a time (Unlimited DVDs by post and online viewing) and GBP15.99 gives the option for three DVDs at a time (Unlimited DVDs by post and online viewing). Members on an Unlimited package have access to the LOVEFiLM Player at no extra cost
• LOVEFiLM also offers a range of video games rental options in the UK market to support gaming across XBox 360, Xbox, PS3, PS2, Wii and DS. These include GBP5.99 a month for one disc at a time (limit of three per month. Does not include online viewing), GBP9.99 a month for two discs at a time (limit of three per month plus 4 hours online viewing), GBP14.99 a month for two discs at a time (Unlimited discs by post and online viewing) and GBP18.99 for three discs at a time (Unlimited discs by post and online viewing), all with free postage and no late fees
• LOVEFiLM UK awards include: Inclusion in The Sunday Times top 100 fastest growing private technology companies in 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007, 3rd place in The Sunday Times top 100 private equity-backed companies with the fastest-growing profits in 2010, a finalist in the National Customer Service Awards 2008, finalist in the Retail Week awards 2009, awarded 5th place in the Deloitte Fast 50 UK 2009, awarded 22nd place in the Deloitte Fast 500 EMEA fastest growing public and private technology companies and named Company Of The Year at the Growing Business Awards 2009. LOVEFiLM won first place for 'Best New Product or Service of the Year - Media & Entertainment' for its direct-to-TV application with Sony at the 2010 International Business Awards and was also named the number one call centre in the Entertainment, Travel & Leisure sector of the Times Top 50 Call Centres for Customer Service programme. In November 2010 LOVEFiLM also won the WOW That's What I Call Service award at the National WOW awards
• The group currently works with major partners in the UK including Tesco, easy Group, CD Wow, Guardian News Media, Odeon and Vue Cinemas, some of whom offer a fully white-labelled online DVD rental service


About Icon Film Distribution (IFD):

Icon Film Distribution (IFD) is part of the Icon UK Group which also comprises, Icon Entertainment International (IEI), Icon Home Entertainment (IHE) and Majestic Films & Television. Formed in 1999, IFD has established itself as one of the UK's leading independent film distributors, theatrically releasing IEI titles and stand alone acquisitions.

In 2009 the Icon UK Group sold to Access Industries, the privately held, U.S.-based industrial group founded in 1986 by its Chairman, Len Blavatnik (www.accessindustries.com). Stewart Till is Chairman of the Icon UK Group of companies. Hugo Grumbar is Managing Director of the International division and Ian Dawson is Managing Director of the UK division.

In a little over 6 years, LOVEFiLM has become a leading European film subscription service, combining the benefits of DVD rental by post and, more recently, watching movies online via the LOVEFiLM Player (on the PC, the PlayStation 3 or streamed direct to TV). Customers can therefore choose how they want to watch from a selection of over 70,000 titles, including HD/Blu-ray DVDs, video games and digital streaming