News
Disney to Suspend MovieBeam
But the company plans to re-open the Video on Demand business later this year, TVPredictions.com has learned.
Special to TVPredictions.com
Washington, D.C. (April 25) -- Disney plans to close its Video on Demand service, MovieBeam, later this week in three test cities, TVPredictions.com has learned.
However, Disney expects to re-launch MovieBeam later this year, with plans to eventually make it a national service.
The MovieBeam suspension -- and re-launch -- was predicted last week by Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com.
Disney has been testing MovieBeam for two years in Jacksonville, Florida, Spokane, Washington, and Salt Lake City, Utah. However, when called by TVPredictions.com today, MovieBeam's customer service department said that the VOD service would shut down soon with plans to re-open later this year.
The MovieBeam closure was confirmed late Monday night by a well-placed industry source. The source did not know when MovieBeam would re-open, but said the business would be suspended this week.
When asked about MovieBeam's future plans, Michelle Bergman, a Disney spokeswoman, said Monday night:
"In order to deliver to consumers an even better entertainment experience, MovieBeam is planning an upgrade of its technology, network and infrastructure. MovieBeam’s business model is flexible and allows us to deliver the service to a range of devices in addition to the current MovieBeam receiver. We are in the process of making critical decisions about our device strategy and are confident that these decisions will positively impact our plans to bring MovieBeam to a national audience."
MovieBeam's service includes a special set-top that downloads movies via signals sent from local Disney-ABC affiliates in the area. Subscribers can order up to 100 films at any time, with prices ranging from $1.99 to $3.99. Current films include The Incredibles, Ladder 49 and Saw, according to MovieBeam's web site.
MovieBeam's receivers have been sold at local electronics stores, such as Circuit City.
In last week's prediction, Swann also said that Disney will re-launch MovieBeam with a new partner and a new look. The new MovieBeam, Swann said, will include High-Definition TV movies, which the current service does not.
Bergman, the Disney spokeswoman, would not comment on any possible partnership plans.
Disney and other studios have been testing services such as MovieBeam as a way to bypass traditional Pay-Per-View distributors such as cable and satellite operators. If Disney, or another studio, could offer its films directly to the consumer, it wouldn't have to share the revenue with the cable or satellite operator.
Disney to Suspend MovieBeam
But the company plans to re-open the Video on Demand business later this year, TVPredictions.com has learned.
Special to TVPredictions.com
Washington, D.C. (April 25) -- Disney plans to close its Video on Demand service, MovieBeam, later this week in three test cities, TVPredictions.com has learned.
However, Disney expects to re-launch MovieBeam later this year, with plans to eventually make it a national service.
The MovieBeam suspension -- and re-launch -- was predicted last week by Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com.
Disney has been testing MovieBeam for two years in Jacksonville, Florida, Spokane, Washington, and Salt Lake City, Utah. However, when called by TVPredictions.com today, MovieBeam's customer service department said that the VOD service would shut down soon with plans to re-open later this year.
The MovieBeam closure was confirmed late Monday night by a well-placed industry source. The source did not know when MovieBeam would re-open, but said the business would be suspended this week.
When asked about MovieBeam's future plans, Michelle Bergman, a Disney spokeswoman, said Monday night:
"In order to deliver to consumers an even better entertainment experience, MovieBeam is planning an upgrade of its technology, network and infrastructure. MovieBeam’s business model is flexible and allows us to deliver the service to a range of devices in addition to the current MovieBeam receiver. We are in the process of making critical decisions about our device strategy and are confident that these decisions will positively impact our plans to bring MovieBeam to a national audience."
MovieBeam's service includes a special set-top that downloads movies via signals sent from local Disney-ABC affiliates in the area. Subscribers can order up to 100 films at any time, with prices ranging from $1.99 to $3.99. Current films include The Incredibles, Ladder 49 and Saw, according to MovieBeam's web site.
MovieBeam's receivers have been sold at local electronics stores, such as Circuit City.
In last week's prediction, Swann also said that Disney will re-launch MovieBeam with a new partner and a new look. The new MovieBeam, Swann said, will include High-Definition TV movies, which the current service does not.
Bergman, the Disney spokeswoman, would not comment on any possible partnership plans.
Disney and other studios have been testing services such as MovieBeam as a way to bypass traditional Pay-Per-View distributors such as cable and satellite operators. If Disney, or another studio, could offer its films directly to the consumer, it wouldn't have to share the revenue with the cable or satellite operator.
