Multi-Year Deal to Bring Blockbuster Movies like “X-Men The Last Stand” and TV Hits Such As “24”, “Prison Break”, “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” to Properties Across Fox Interactive Media Network; IGN Site to Start, With MySpace and Others to Follow
Fox Interactive Media (FIM) and Twentieth Century Fox today announced a multi-year agreement to provide feature films and television shows on a download-to-own basis across the FIM network. Fox Interactive Media’s network of leading properties reaching more than 75 million people a month in the U.S. (ComScore MediaMetrix) will have access to Fox Entertainment Group’s vast catalogue of leading content including hit feature films such as “X-Men The Last Stand” and “The Omen” as well as episodes of television series like “24,” and “Prison Break.” IGN Entertainment will be the first FIM property to offer a selection of on its Direct2Drive site ( http:www.direct2drive.com ) in October 2006 with additional FIM properties including MySpace.com to come.
“Our drive to deliver Twentieth Century Fox content via the most powerful online platforms is advanced substantially by this agreement,” said Peter Levinsohn, President, Digital Media, Fox Entertainment Group. “Offering Fox content in conjunction with FIM properties enables viewers to access the best movies and TV shows from multiple platforms in the Fox family.”
Initially, FIM will offer films from Twentieth Century Fox including new releases, made-for-TV movies, direct-to-video releases and select content from the Twentieth Century Fox film library on IGN’s Direct2Drive site. The site will also offer current television series from various Fox entities such as Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Broadcasting Company, Fuel TV, Speed, and FX with a selection of shows available within 24 hours of initial broadcast.
In an industry first, purchased movies and television shows will be immediately transferable to Windows Media compatible portable devices providing users with a convenient way to take the video content with them on the go.
“Today marks an important step as we continue to build a bridge between the worlds of user-generated and top-quality, professional content, further enhancing our range of consumer offerings across both free, ad-supported and paid download business models,” said FIM President Ross Levinsohn. “With more than 75 million monthly users and one of the largest entertainment communities on the web, we are thrilled to begin offering our users exciting content from Fox.”
The agreement with Twentieth Century Fox will enable FIM, already a leader in downloadable games with Direct2Drive, to expand its offerings with premier TV and movie content. Direct2Drive will promote the new offering throughout the IGN Entertainment network, including IGN.com, Rotten Tomatoes; and Film Force, among other sites.
Direct2Drive’s secure digital download service will enable users to transfer content to up to two PCs and one portable device per PC. Content will be available at competitive prices: Approximately $19.99 for new feature film releases and $1.99 per TV series episode.
About Fox Interactive Media
A division of News Corp. (NWS and NWS.A), Fox Interactive Media (FIM) is an integrated network of sites offering socially rich media experiences centered on entertainment, news, information and self-expression. The company’s network includes Internet assets from News Corp., including the highly trafficked FoxSports.com ( http://www.foxsports.com ), Americanidol.com ( http://www.americanidol.com ) and Fox.com ( http://www.fox.com ). FIM also owns and operates such category leaders as MySpace.com ( http://www.myspace.com ), the number one social networking site on the Web; Scout.com ( http://www.scout.com ), a dynamic collegiate and pro sports network; and IGN Entertainment ( http://www.ign.com ), a network of leading gaming and entertainment sites including men’s lifestyle site AskMen ( http://www.askmen.com ) and premier destination for movie-goers Rotten Tomatoes ( http://www.rottentomatoes.com ) among others.
About Fox Entertainment Group
Fox Entertainment Group (FEG) is a unit of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A). It is principally engaged in the development, production and worldwide distribution of feature films and television programs, television broadcasting and cable network programming. The Company’s studios, production facilities and film and television library provide high-quality creative content, and the Company’s broadcasting and cable networks provide extensive distribution platforms for the Company’s programs. Fox Digital Media is a division of FEG dedicated to setting distribution strategy and licensing programming from all FEG divisions to new, digital outlets.
