XStreamHD To Carry VOD Lionsgate Content

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 7/19/2010

MCLEAN, VA. - XStreamHD said last week that it has entered a longterm electronic sell-thru and video-ondemand home entertainment-distribution agreement with Lionsgate, to provide the studio’s movies through its new satellite-TV entertainment-on-demand platform.

Under the agreement, subscribers to the XStreamHD home entertainment service will be able to digitally purchase or rent Lionsgate HD video releases, as well as provide access to Lionsgate’s content library of more than 12,000 titles, XStreamHD said.

After several delays, XStreamHD said it now plans to launch its home entertainment service and equipment this summer. The system will enable customers to digitally purchase or rent recent Lionsgate HD releases and fare from other studios.

The service is pitching the superior quality of content through its state-ofthe- art delivery platform that will enable high bit rate FullHD 1080p HD video and up to 7.1 channels of lossless audio.

Music will also be available through the system in a variety of digital formats including high-quality FLAC.

“Our customers will enjoy unparalleled digital quality, access and convenience to HD entertainment without the hassles associated with slow Internet downloads or limited retailer inventory,” stated George Gonzalez, president and CEO of XStreamHD.

Pricing for the individual Lionsgate VOD titles was not announced. But titles produced by the studio that would be open to the new distribution deal include cable TV programs — “Mad Men,” “Weeds,” “Nurse Jackie” and “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” — and theatrical titles “Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?,” “Kick-Ass” and “Precious.”

“Our partnership with XStreamHD presents us with a new opportunity to distribute our content in the digital marketplace,” Lionsgate distribution and digital executive VP Jon Ferro said in a statement. “Our decision to distribute our titles through XStreamHD refl ects our commitment to offer consumers the highest-quality home entertainment and access to our enormous library of titles.”

Recently, XStreamHD announced it has signed a multiyear deal with Echo- Star Satellite Services to use Fixed Service Satellite (FSS) capacity leased on SES World Skies’ AMC-16 satellite.

The video files are automatically downloaded to subscribers’ media server libraries based on their preferences and previous title selections, the company said.

Equipment will be sold in several configurations including a Fast Start package ($399) that includes one HD Media Server with 1TB of storage, one HD media receiver, a remote control and accessories, including an HDMI cable and two Ethernet cables.

A Pro Start package will be off ered for $499. Storage capacities of 2TB and 4TB are also available with both starter packages.

XStreamHD’s media server includes three ATSC tuners, which will provide access to over-the-air broadcasts and let customers record and view up to three separate HDTV programs simultaneously with the additional network video recorder feature.

Consumers can pre-order either package to receive priority shipment of the first release systems at www.xstreamhd. com. System distribution is being handled largely through direct sales.

The company has also partnered with an installer network for installations and setup, although a DYI install option is available.