Best Buy Launches "CinemaNow" Download Service, Powered by Sonic Solutions

Electronics retailer, Best Buy, on Tuesday announced the availability of its new download service, branded as CinemaNow, which it says will provide consumers with free, same-day instant access to new-release movies and TV shows: titles will be available for rent at around $4 each, and for purchase at around $15. The CinemaNow brand was formerly owned by Sonic Solutions (note: Sonic acquired the pioneering OTT service of the same name back in 2008), the company whose digital delivery platform is powering Best Buy's new service under a partnership that was first announced last year: Sonic Solutions announced last month that it was rebranding its platform as RoxioNow (from Roxio CinemaNow), and Best Buy says that it now owns the legal rights to the CinemaNow brand. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Best Buy's director of digital media, Ryan Pirozzi, explained why the company decided to acquire the CinemaNow brand from Sonic Solutions: "We spent nine months testing and focus-grouping and had an agency come up with names and couldn't find any we wanted," he said. "It ended up being the perfect marriage because Sonic was not looking to be customer-facing."

According to Best Buy, CinemaNow will initially be available through select connected HDTV's and Blu-ray Disc players, as well as via a dedicated Web site, http://www.cinemanow.com (note: as this article was going to press, the site had not yet been updated to reflect Best Buy's ownership of it). Beginning this month, the company says, the service will be available on all new connected Blu-ray Disc players and home theater systems from LG Electronics, via the latter's NetCast Entertainment Access feature. It will launch on an array of other devices from various manufacturers, including on devices carrying Best Buy's own Insignia brand, later this month, Best Buy promises.

According to the company, the initial product launch--which it says will be followed by an "improved and updated" version later this year--will allow customers to browse, search and purchase premium content through what it bills as a "highly functional, straightforward" interface, and will deliver a high-quality viewing experience through enhanced playback technology. "With the introduction of CinemaNow, Best Buy continues our commitment to evolve with our customers as their demand for digital entertainment grows," Chris Homeister, Best Buy's SVP of entertainment, said in a prepared statement. "The convenience, selection and flexibility of the CinemaNow service offers customers more freedom in the way they choose to consume entertainment from Best Buy. This service, which complements our existing suite of digital entertainment brands, will be available to customers in their homes and on-the-go through a broad array of devices and will be brought to life in store with the help of our Blue Shirts and Geek Squad Agents."

Best Buy says that the first update to the CinemaNow service will be released on select devices later this year, and will include an advanced user interface and expanded video playback features designed to further improve the viewing experience.