Update on Starz-RNWK Service-IV

According to LA Times, the existing Hollywood contracts all but guarantee that Starz! Ticket will have several years to incorporate new features without fear of competition from other subscription services. Starz, HBO and Showtime have exclusive long-term deals with the seven major Hollywood studios and top independents. Those contracts bar anyone else from offering all-you-can-download services — and only Starz is poised to go online.

The company reported this year that the fees it was paying for movies would increase sharply in 2004 and 2005, in part because of the Internet rights.

Starz! Ticket will include some or all of the new movies released by Walt Disney Co., Sony Corp. and Universal and several independent studios. Next year it will lose its supply of Universal movies but will add more from Sony in 2006.

Related:

Exclusive: Starz to Launch Online Movie Service With RealNetworks

Update on Starz-RNWK Service-I

Update on Starz-RNWK Service-II

Update on Starz-RNWK Service-III

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