CinemaNow

CinemaNow, LLC
Privately Held
Industry On demand digital entertainment.
Genre Mainstream (not adult content).
Founded 1999 (1999)
Headquarters Los Angeles, California, USA
Area served
 US, Canada and United Kingdom
Key people
 Donna Kay Smith, President; Tyler Halstead, Vice President of Business and Strategy; Jay Moore, Director of Finance.
Products VoD and electronic sell-through.
Services Video content delivery.
Owner FilmOn
Parent FilmOn
Website www.cinemanow.com

CinemaNow is an international over-the-top (OTT)[1] provider of on-demand Internet streaming media available to viewers in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Los Angeles.[2]

CinemaNow won prominence as home entertainment became untethered and consumers demanded entertainment on their hand-held devices. The company provides a video-on-demand (VOD) and electronic sell-through (EST) platform that allows consumers to purchase, rent and view film and TV content on over 105,000,000 enabled devices from 350 device models including Roku, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, Smart TV, Apple iOS, Android, Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Toshiba.[3][4]

CinemaNow boasts a library containing more than 55,000 feature-length films, shorts, concerts, and television programs from major licensors including: 20th Century Fox, HBO, LionsGate Entertainment, MGM, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Relativity Media, Showtime Networks, Sony Pictures, Starz, and Warner Bros.

Attracted by the ease-of-access to CinemaNow's content, licensors are hungry to have CinemaNow distribute an ever-widening array of offerings to CinemaNow's customers. New licensors (big and small) are being added weekly.[5]

History

A brief history of CinemaNow:

1999

* CinemaNow was founded as one of the first on-demand internet streaming media platforms. The Company was backed by Menlo Ventures, Index Holdings, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Lionsgate and EchoStar.[6][7]

2000

* CinemaNow partners with Microsoft to launch CinemaNow streaming service using Windows Media Player.

2002

* CinemaNow launches international network to make service available around the world.

2004

* CinemaNow offers 720p high-definition content through partnership with Windows Media High Definition Video.

2006

* CinemaNow launches “Burn to DVD” functionality allowing consumers to convert digital downloads to physical disks.

2007

* CinemaNow expands content to include music videos through deal with Sony BMG Music, EMI and Sanctuary Group.

2008

* CinemaNow allows remote download and purchases of content direct from mobile devices. In November 2008, Sonic Solutions acquired CinemaNow.[8]

2009

* In January 2009, Sonic and Blockbuster, Inc. announced a strategic alliance to provide digital content delivery under the Blockbuster brand, essentially merging the digital storefronts of CinemaNow and its erstwhile competitor in 2007.

2010

* Best Buy acquires CinemaNow brand and successfully launches an OTT storefront.

* CinemaNow provides Entertainment Store for Cineplex.

* Sonic Solutions was acquired by Rovi Corporation for $775 million in December 2010.[9]

2011

* CinemaNow offers 1080p HD streaming for premium content.

* CinemaNow and Hewlett Packard partner to provide MovieStore.

* CinemaNow and Dell agree to launch Dell VideoStorage.

* CinemaNow reaches agreement to power Warner Brothers’ video storefront Flixster.

2012

* CinemaNow teams with UltraViolet and launches Disc to Digital program to allow DVD owners to convert their movie collections to digital format.

* CinemaNow partners with ResearchInMotion to launch BlackBerry Video Store.

* CinemaNow enters agreement with Toys R Us to power ToysrusMovies.com.

2013

* Rovi Entertainment Store acquired by Regent Equity Partners in September 2013.

* CinemaNow successfully launches the Target Ticket digital OTT storefront with 35,000 titles available for purchase and rental.

* CinemaNow launches Sainsbury’s Entertainment on Demand.

* In July 2013 Rovi announced that the Rovi Entertainment Store was acquired by Reliance Majestic Holdings, LLC a new media company backed by Austin, Texas-based private equity firm Proveho Capital.[10][11][12]

2014

* Best Buy divests CinemaNow to Regent Equity Partners; CinemaNow successfully re-launches UI/UX for all devices.

* CinemaNow successfully launches on Roku and Xbox.

* Dixon’s KnowHow (UK OTT storefront) successfully relaunched as CinemaNow, UK.

2015

* Apple Watch supported by CinemaNow app; feature turns Watch into simple Remote Control interface.

2016

* FilmOn purchased CinemaNow and serves as the latest move by CEO, Alkiviades “Alki” David who endeavors to assemble a next-generation entertainment conglomerate. London-based FilmOn offers nearly 1,000 free streaming channels across multiple genres and more than 45,000 V.O.D. titles. The company claims it reaches 70 million monthly users worldwide.

Competitors

CinemaNow competes with video storefronts including Apple’s iTunes, Netflix, Amazon Video, Google Play and Walmart’s Vudu.

See also

References

  1. ↑ In broadcasting, over-the-top content (OTT) refers to delivery of audio, video, and other media over the Internet without the involvement of a multiple-system operator in the control or distribution of the content.
  2. ↑ "Bloomberg Company Overview of CinemaNow, Inc.".
  3. ↑ "CinemaNow app comes to Xbox Live". May 16, 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "Cinema Now movies-on-demand service to be built into Best Buy's web-connected gadgets". VentureBeat. November 3, 2009.
  5. ↑ Content providers should contact: Tyler Halstead
  6. ↑ "CinemaNow lands $20 million, to keep up with everyone else". Venture Beat. July 12, 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "CinemaNow Secures $20.3 Million Investment". http://www.vfinance.com. External link in |website= (help)
  8. ↑ "Sonic Solutions to Buy CinemaNow". Nov 19, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Rovi to Buy Sonic Solutions for $775 Million to Add Streaming to Listings". Dec 23, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Rovi Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Performance Announces Agreements to Sell Rovi Entertainment Store and Consumer Website Businesses".
  11. ↑ "DivX likely to draw interest from strategics".
  12. ↑ "Proveho Capital Portfolio Company List". www.provehocapital.com.

Sources

External links

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