ITV offers online DVD rental and reviews on new site

by Sam Matthews,, Brand Republic 02-Feb-05, 11:00

LONDON – ITV is launching a dedicated movies website with an online DVD rental service powered by Video Island, as well as reviews of all the movies broadcast across its channel portfolio.

The website will have all the latest movie news and highlights of films coming up on ITV1, ITV2 and ITV3.

Video clip reviews of the latest DVD releases and interviews with some of Hollywood's biggest stars will also be available.

ITV's MovieClub, powered by Video Island in association with MercuryMedia/APTN, will offer its members five DVDs for £9.99 a month with more than 28,000 titles to choose from. Added attractions will see viewers benefit from independently sourced video reviews to help them choose what films to watch.

Saul Klein, chief executive of Video Island, said: "For the film lover, ITV MovieClub's new online DVD rental offers an extremely convenient and cost-effective way to watch even more films."

Colin Ramsay, head of online sales at ITV Sales, added: "ITV Online is delighted to launch another brand new, exciting venture and commercial partnership to complement our broadcasting offering.

"ITV.com/movies will provide a host of new and innovative advertising and sponsorship opportunities."

The news comes as ITV has secured a host of sponsors for its movies. Motorola is continuing its sponsorship of ITV1 movies on air and Cobra, the Asian beer brand, is to sponsor all films on ITV2 and ITV3.

Last month, ITV announced it had secured exclusive terrestrial rights with NBC Universal to broadcast 'Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason' and Warner Bros to screen 'Oceans Twelve' and 'The Matrix Revolutions'.

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