Walt Disney Studios is boldly entering the world of digital streaming with the unveiling of its new, exclusive, cloud-based digital movie service called Disney Movies Anywhere. If you’re household is one of the lucky ones to be overrun with the kid-fueled fervor of Disney’s billion dollar money making and award winning hit
Frozen, then consider this service a necessity;
Frozen is available now as digital release, and it’s in good company, being one of more than 400 active digital titles offered through Disney Movies Everywhere. The service offers popular titles from Disney, Pixar and Marvel, making other recent releases such as
Thor: The Dark World,
Monsters University, and
Planes fully accessible.
“Disney Movies Anywhere offers an exceptional consumer experience built around some of the most beloved and popular entertainment brands in the world,” said Alan Bergman, President, The Walt Disney Studios. “This unique technology underscores Disney’s commitment to meeting our consumers where they are with the content they want, and we’re thrilled to debut with iTunes, the #1 digital media retailer in the world.”
Think of Disney Movies Anywhere as a “digital storage locker” that works in conjunction with an established iTunes account. Users need to sign up through the Disney Movies Anywhere website and connect their new Disney account to their iTunes profile. Any single qualifying movie simply needs to be purchased (once) and is instantly available for simultaneous viewing on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or through website access on a Mac or PC. Owners of past Disney titles with redeemable digital codes can make those films accessible (as will any previously redeemed Disney Movie Reward movies). Fussy kids on the go, look out. This is sure to be a new powerful weapon in most any parent’s distraction arsenal: instant mobile access on multiple devices to Disney entertainment.
Disney says the new service’s functionality is based on the company’s proprietary “digital rights locker” called “KeyChest.” KeyChest, which was first revealed in 2009, is similar to UltraViolet in that it offers consumers digital access to purchased material. The difference, however, is that users aren’t required to keep a physical file stored on a computer or device.
During the initial sign up period, Disney is offering a free copy of
The Incredibles as a bonus incentive. For the time being, users must have an iTunes account (and the associated Apple mobile products). This may change in the future, however, as Disney is rumored to be in discussions with other carriers.
Image: Disney