LOVEFiLM debuts 14 original pilot shows from Amazon Studios

Fourteen different shows, including Alpha House starring John Goodman, and Zombieland -  a spin-off of the Hollywood movie of the same name – will be put to the public vote to decide whether they get made into full series via our website while Amazon Instant Video will be doing the same in the states. You do not even need to be a member to watch these so anyone can check them out at  http://www.lovefilm.com/micro/amazon_originals

All are made by independent production companies but produced by Amazon Studios. “This is the first time Amazon Studios has done this,” said Simon Morris, LOVEFiLM’s chief marketing officer. “This isn’t X Factor for some new titles where you get to vote and they’re fairly gimmicky… It has a unique position in the world in that it has a platform that’s a pay platform, it has an entertainment platform.”

Outside of Zombeland, a personal favorite due to a love of zombies, the comedy pilots include:
Alpha House - starring John Goodman, which follows four US senators living in a rented house in Washington DC (with a great surprise cameo right at the start of the episode)
Betas -  based in Silcon Valley and features four friends who attempt to strike it rich with a mobile social networking app
Browsers - a musical comedy based on four young people in their first jobs at a news website
Dark Minions - a cartoon written by Big Bang Theory supporting actors Kevin Sussman and John Ross Bowie


The kids pilot shows include:
Annebots - which follows young scientist Anne and the three robots she’s created doing scientific experiments in her dad’s junkyard;
Positively Ozitively - where Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz’s daughter Dot heads to Oz;
Sara Solves It - featuring brother and sister duo Sara and Sam solving mysteries;
Teeny Tiny Dogs - a puppet show produced by Lisa Henson, daughter of Muppet creator Jim Henson and CEO of The Jim Henson Company
 

 

LOVEFiLM, BBC Worldwide Strike Deal For Kids Content

LOVEFiLM has struck a deal with BBC Worldwide which will see a number of BBC kids shows made available to members of the streaming service. Show’s covered by this deal include including The Story of Tracy Beaker, Teletubbies, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Balamory.

This builds on deals that LOVEFiLM has already made for libraries of children’s content from the likes of Aardman Animations, Marvel Entertainment and, most recently, Saban Brands, for 20 years’ worth of Power Rangers episodes.

Speaking of the deal, Chris Bird, Director of Film Strategy at LOVEFiLM, said: “We are committed to bringing the very best in children’s TV to our ever-increasing audience, and are thrilled to have secured even more brilliant BBC shows for members to enjoy. We have got some of the best family programming around and look forward to entertaining fans of all ages.”

A summary of recent months at LOVEFiLM

I wanted to take to time to update you on LOVEFiLM with some of the great achievements/milestones we have passed with the help of our affiliates, with 2012 being a very successful year LOVEFiLM now have over 2 million members!

LOVEFiLM everywhere
You might be aware we are on a lot of devices, but it’s much more than you think. LOVEFiLM Instant is available on over 280 Internet-enabled devices including PCs, PlayStation 3, iPad, Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Wii U, plus a growing number of Blu-ray players and internet-connected TVs including Sony, Samsung and LG.

More FiLM to LOVE (and TV series too)
In 2012 LOVEFiLM, an Amazon Company, and Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution announced a major multi-year content deal giving LOVEFiLM members streaming access to recent and forthcoming movies and TV series. The film deal commences with titles theatrically released in the UK in 2011, which will be made available to subscribers to the LOVEFiLM service as early as March 2013. This is the latest in a long line of content deals announced by LOVEFiLM in the past 12 months, including agreements with Warner Bros., Miramax, Aardman, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal and Disney.

The deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution will also give LOVEFiLM members access to movies and TV series from the studio’s library of much-loved titles, and will add to LOVEFiLM’s already extensive TV catalogue. TV titles from Twentieth Century Fox’s television library include seasons of motorcycle drama Sons of Anarchy and all seasons of 24, Prison Break, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel.

LOVEFiLM also continues to offer all the latest releases on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-Ray 3D (plus games) via its LOVEFiLM By Post service.

LOVEFiLM in HD
Watching movies has never been clearer. LOVEFiLM now stream movies and TV series on demand for no extra charge in HDTV resolutions up to 1080p. Instant members using PC or Mac, will enjoy content in full 1080p high definition, while members using their Xbox 360 or Samsung and LG connected HDTVs will enjoy 720p resolution.

Introducing the Amazon Kindle Fire
December 2012 saw the launch of Amazon’s new tablet the Kindle Fire, available in HD with a 1280x800 HD display with polarising filter and anti-glare technology for rich colour and deep contrast from any viewing angle which is perfect for watching LOVEFiLM Instant. LOVEFiLM is already built-in to the Kindle Fire so there’s every reason to sign up for an account.

As always we value your opinion so if you have any ideas or feedback please do get in touch – Below are the best contacts to use:

Nicky March – nicky.march@lovefilm.com – Skype nickymarch
Alison O’Donoghue - alison.odonoghue@affiliatewindow.com

Useful links for LOVEFiLM Information

Apologies for the lack of updates lately, some will follow soon. To stay up to date with all LOVEFiLM news please see our Press Releases and the Inside LOVEFiLM Blog

The All New Kindle Fire HD is here

LOVEFiLM Instant now in HD

Our members can now start watching LOVEFiLM Instant in High definition, all at no extra cost on top of their current package prices. Another great reason to sign up to LOVEFiLm and another strong selling point of our service for our affiliates to promote.

Jim Buckle, managing director of Lovefilm, commented, "Lovefilm is the number one consumer choice for subscription film and TV series streaming in Europe. The introduction of HD quality content further strengthens the offering and marks another key milestone in delivering our members the best possible service with exceptional value."

Titles you can now watch in HD include teen sensation The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, family favourite Gnomeo and Juliet and British comedy Four Lions. Top US TV dramas including Lost and Ghost Whisperer will also be available alongside a whole host of British titles, including the BBC’s popular documentaries Human Planet and David Attenborough’s Planet Earth.


New creative is being developed to promote our HD range and the messaging is being added to landing pages. We advise affiliates to also promote the news as many for many potential customers this is a key factor in signing up.

LOVEFiLM signs exclusive multi-year streaming deal with NBCUniversal

LOVEFiLM has announced that it has signed a multiyear agreement with NBCUniversal.

LOVEFiLM subscribers will get exclusive streaming access during the second pay window from Universal Pictures. The deal will bring recent and new release movie titles to the instant streaming service costing £4.99 monthly.

LoveFilm said the multi-year digital license agreement will see Universal films available on all of its digital platforms, including Xbox, Playstation and iOS devices.

Jim Buckle, MD of LOVEFiLM, said: “LOVEFiLM is proud to offer its members access to the highest quality content across multiple platforms from another of the world’s most respected studios. NBCUniversal is also LOVEFiLM’s latest exclusive streaming deal in our quest to deliver the widest choice of content on as many platforms as possible.”

Additional Universal Pictures titles available to watch instantly by LOVEFiLM members in the UK will include ‘It’s Complicated’, ‘Nanny McPhee Returns’, ‘Leap Year’, ‘Green Zone’, ‘The Wolfman’, ‘Robin Hood’, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs The World’, ‘The American’, ‘Paul’, ‘Fast And Furious 5′, ‘Bridesmaids’, ‘Johnny English Reborn’, ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’, ‘Bourne Legacy’, ‘Dr Seuss’ The Lorax’ and ‘Safe House’.

Streaming Service Overtakes DVD at LOVEFiLM for the First Time

LOVEFiLM, an Amazon company and pioneer of internet film delivery in Europe, announced today that in February, for the first time ever, LOVEFiLM members streamed more films and TV series instantly over the Internet via LOVEFiLM Instant than rented DVDs, Blu-rays and Games.

The number of films and TV episodes streamed online through Internet-connected devices including games consoles and connected TVs exceeded the number of DVDs, Blu-rays and Games rented by over 20%. This represents an increase on the same month last year of over 400%, while the rental of physical product is also growing, up over 25% over the year.

Jim Buckle, Managing Director of AMAZON's LOVEFiLM, commented: "The first quarter of 2012 has shown us two things: that LOVEFiLM members are watching more films and TV series both on the Internet and on DVD than ever before and; in less than three years, streaming through LOVEFiLM Instant has become more popular than renting DVDs.

Our members crave instant on-demand access. With more world-class digital content being added to LOVEFiLM Instant and a growing number of Internet-connected devices delivering it to members' living rooms we expect this trend to continue. At the same time, many of our members continue to enjoy the combination of LOVEFiLM Instant and LOVEFiLM By Post in one, great value for money subscription, with both services growing rapidly."

Amazon's LOVEFiLM surpassed two million members in January 2012, cementing its position as Europe's largest subscription service for streaming films and TV series over the Internet and sending DVDs and games by post. LOVEFiLM pioneered Internet film delivery in the UK through the world's first download-to-own service in 2006. By 2009 LOVEFiLM had launched the UK's first subscription film and TV series streaming service which, inDecember 2011, became LOVEFiLM Instant, a standalone service streaming on PCs and through over 175 internet-connected devices including Xbox, PS3, internet-connected TVs (SONY, Samsung and LG) and iPad.

Amazon's LOVEFiLM is constantly adding to the range of film and TV series on LOVEFiLM Instant having signed major content deals including Sony, Warner Bros., STUDIOCANAL, ITV, ABC, and BBC, and offering exclusive titles including vampire phenomenon The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, action-thriller Source Code and, coming soon, critically-acclaimed Tinker Tailor Solider Spy.

Happy Valentine's Day from LOVEFiLM

Check out a special Valentine's Day message from LOVEFiLM

Improved free trial offer - a better promotion for affiliates

Great news! As from 25^th January 2012 all  free trial lengths will increase from 14 to 30 days across our affiliate channel, this will be supported by TV, search and other marketing. By extending the trial length for affiliates we are confident this offer improvement will help you when promoting the LOVEFiLM campaign, however if there is something else you need please do not hesitate to contact me and we can discuss your needs. We appreciate this is short notice for the change but please do ensure you update your copy/content/site as soon as possible to make best use of the new offer!

LOVEFiLM HITS 2 MILLION MEMBERS -service experiences record-breaking year

LOVEFiLM has announced we have reached two million subscribers driven by a record number of sign-ups in the fourth quarter of 2011. We added hundreds of thousands of new customers that now have access to LOVEFiLM Instant, which provides a unique offering of instantly streamed film and TV series, combined with the vast selection of DVD, Blu-ray and Video Game rentals.

This is the fastest customer growth rate LOVEFiLM has experienced since 2009, a lot of hard work from the entire team this year and proven worthwhile.

LOVEFiLM  also now offers an unlimited streaming-only package which provides access to films and TV shows via LOVEFiLM Instant for an introductory price of £4.99 per month. Customers can access the LOVEFiLM Instant digital service through a range of devices including PlayStation®3, Xbox, iPad™ and a variety of other internet enabled devices.

LOVEFiLM SIGNS ANOTHER STREAMING DEAL, TO LAUNCH ABC TV ON DEMAND IN THE UK

LOVEFiLM has partnered with Disney UK in a deal that will give LOVEFiLM members access to full seasons of some of the most iconic American television series ever created as part of our LOVEFiLM Instant service.

From this month popular series such as Castle, starring Nathan Fillion, as well as all six seasons of Lost, ranked by critics as one of the top US TV series of all time will be available to LOVEFiLM members with streaming packages.

The Golden Globe and Emmy-winning Desperate Housewives, hit comedy Happy Endings, critically acclaimed medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, Ghost Whisperer – starring Jennifer Love Hewitt – and every episode of Brothers & Sisters, which earned actress Sally Field an Emmy, will also be available on-demand later in the year.

Shows will be launched as full seasons after their first run on UK pay and/or free TV. Previous seasons of some series will even be available to members before the next season airs on UK television.

This is the latest TV content deal with a major US Studio to be announced by LOVEFiLM – Europe’s leading TV and movie subscription service. It follows a number of recent TV deals including BBC and ITV, which have added to the expanding collection of top TV content, together with thousands of movies, already available on LOVEFiLM Instant, from studios and distributors including Sony, Warner Bros., Entertainment One and STUDIOCANAL.

Lovefilm strikes ITV and BBC Worldwide content deals

As is being reported today on NMA, The Telegraph, The Guardian and others, we have signed new content deals to add more great TV shows to our LOVEFiLM Instant service.

British shows such as Doctor Who, Planet Earth and Inspector Morse will be available to stream to laptops, PS3, iPad, Xbox 360 and other devices after LoveFilm signed partnership deals with the BBC and ITV.

More great content that our members can watch as part of their existing monthly subscription.

LOVEFiLM EXPANDS UK CONTENT WITH SONY PICTURES TELEVISION DEAL

LOVEFiLM and Sony Pictures Television have signed a major multi-year content deal giving LOVEFiLM members exclusive streaming access to new and forthcoming Sony Pictures titles as well as catalogue titles and TV series, from June 2012.

The milestone agreement with Sony Pictures Television is the latest in a line of exclusive content deals announced, including deals with Warner Bros., Entertainment One, STUDIOCANAL, Disney, Momentum and Lionsgate.

LOVEFiLM members will be able to exclusively stream Sony Pictures titles including the Academy Award winning The Social Network, action-thriller Salt, starring Angelina Jolie, and sci-fi action blockbuster 2012 via LOVEFiLM Instant at no extra cost and as part of their existing subscription.

The deal will also further bolster LOVEFiLM’s extensive range of kids TV titles with modern cult, animation favourites like Transformers, Spectacular Spider-Man and The Karate Kid – adding a raft of series to existing LOVEFiLM catalogue titles like Pingu, Wallace & Gromit and Fireman Sam.

The deal will see Sony Pictures’ recent and forthcoming releases, catalogue titles and TV series added to the LOVEFiLM Instant service – available on the PC or via Sony Playstation®3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Apple iPad® and a growing number of Internet-connected TV sets and Blu-ray players.

Xbox goes live this morning

You can expect to see the LOVEFiLM app on your Xbox by the end of this morning.

You can also expect to see LOVEFiLM trending on Twitter alongside Xbox around the same time - when we launched on PS3 we were a top trend for the entire day. If you planned to use your social media profiles to gain interest you should consider being part of this buzz.

Affiliate Giveaway - Want a FREE Xbox 360?

To celebrate the news of imminent launch of our latest streaming app we are giving away some free Xbox consoles. To be in with a chance of winning one all you need to do is update any content about LOVEFiLM and create special features - just in general promote the great news. Send all examples of your promotional pages/emails/social media to us here and we will pick winners at the end of December. We have several to give away.

Millions of users will now be able to watch instantly on their Xbox 360 with LOVEFiLM offering thousands of titles to watch via the app, this currently includes Red, Happy Feet, Splice, The Losers, Twilight: Eclipse and The Ghost.

Exclusive content coming up includes Liam Neeson in Unknown and the thriller Source Code, plus lots of films for kids this Christmas, so you will not be struggling for something to watch.

LOVEFiLM Xbox app launch - all the info you need plus win a free Xbox 360

As reported around the web, the new XBOX 360 dashboard goes live on 6th December and will mean the launch of the LOVEFiLM Instant App!

What does this mean for affiliates?

This addition to our service is another selling point that can increase click through and conversion, meaning you can increase your earnings. Every time we add a new feature it enhances the offer and increases the appeal of LOVEFiLM to a wider audience.

Affiliates should update their copy when talking about LOVEFiLM. The key area to update would be the bullet points that design our service in concise detail:

LOVEFiLM gives you:
* Britain's largest range of films and games - 70,000 titles and counting
* FREE first class post for DVD, Blu-ray & Games rental
* Thousands of films to watch instantly to your PC, Smart TV, PS3™, iPad® and now Xbox 360® at no extra cost
* No long term contracts - cancel anytime

More information on the Xbox 360 app

Millions of users will now be able to watch instantly with LOVEFiLM offering thousands of titles to watch instantly via the app, such as Red, Happy Feet, Splice, The Losers, Twilight: Eclipse and The Ghost.

Exclusive content coming up includes Unknown, starring Liam Neeson, and thriller Source Code, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, plus many more great films like The Hangover, The Dark Knight and lots of films for kids this Christmas.

With Kinect for Xbox 360, users have the ability to effortlessly control the LOVEFiLM Player App through motion, gestures and voice commands. This interactivity will revolutionise the way film fans manage their movie selection and engage with LOVEFiLM.

The Xbox service comes at no extra cost to our customers. Sign up for a normal FREE trial and you will get your usual range of 70,000 titles on DVD, Blu-ray and games, as well as access to watch online via your Xbox 360 (or your iPad, PS3, laptop etc)

Affiliate Giveaway - Want a FREE Xbox 360?

To celebrate this news we are giving away some free Xbox consoles. To be in with a chance of winning one all you need to do is update any content about LOVEFiLM and create special features and just in general promote all the great news. Send all examples of your promotional pages/emails/social media to us here and we will pick winners at the end of December




News the Xbox launch can be found at ITProPortal, Eurogamer and on our corporate site

An easier way to manage a LOVEFiLM account - new Android App

You can now download the new LOVEFiLM app in the Android Market. While not a new way for affiliates to sign people up to our service this is a great way for users to manage their accounts, a nice selling point to remember. I use it to add films to my rental list when out shopping, easy way to get straight on my list as a high priority.

Features of the app:

Watch Movie Trailers on the move - From blockbusters to hidden gems, you can now watch trailers for upcoming movies and loads more.

Manage your LOVEFiLM account on the move - You can view your rental list and add, remove and re-prioritise titles.

Search and browse our catalogue of 70,000 titles - Search by title, actor or director, or browse titles by genre or hot lists.

LOVEFiLM AND STUDIOCANAL SIGN EXCLUSIVE EUROPEAN CONTENT DEAL

I should have posted this some time ago but just remembered I was off enjoying some sunshine in Turkey when we announced the news. As well as the Warner Bros announcement today we also signed a deal with STUDIOCANAL to offer their titles to LOVEFiLM members as part of their subscription at no extra cost.

A summary of the press release:

LOVEFiLM and STUDIOCANAL have signed an exclusive long-term deal in the UK and Germany giving LOVEFiLM members access to the portfolio of new and library movies from the leading international film distributor for a 12-month window.

Unknown, starring Liam Neeson, and thriller Source Code, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, will be among the first titles available in the UK and Germany from this Autumn. Future films will include the critically acclaimed, No.1 British thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and horror flick Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark produced by Guillermo del Toro. In addition, members will be able to stream titles from STUDIOCANAL’s library – one of the most comprehensive film catalogues in the world – including the Oscar winning war drama The Pianist, Apocalypse Now, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and critically acclaimed psychological thriller Mulholland Drive.

LOVEFiLM was acquired by Amazon in February 2011 and has major streaming content deals in place with Disney, eOne, Icon, Lionsgate, MGM, Warner Bros and STUDIOCANAL.

LoveFilm signs rights deal with Warner Bros

Our LOVEFiLM streaming service is growing hugely right now in terms of content, and we have some big news on agreements to add major titles, as reported around the web at Guardian, Engadget and Market Watch

We have signed a deal with Warner Bros to stream their great range of films online and to devices such as PS3, iPad and Xbox 360 via our apps.

Movies exclusively available at the start of the deal in December will include The Dark Knight, The Hangover, Gran Torino and Sex and the City 2. And, in the coming months and years, LOVEFiLM customers, who subscribe to streaming as part of their package, will be able to instantly watch a regular flow of Warner Bros.' recent movies.

Affiliates will benefit as we highlight the ease of use for our watch instantly options in TV advertising and online creative. Get in touch if you need to know more.