Sony has bagged a deal with six major studios to deliver HD movies on the PlayStation Network – reportedly the first and only service to do so. In addition to its own Sony Pictures Entertainment, the company has signed an agreement with 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros.
Sony's arrangement adds to the PlayStation 3's advantage as an all-around home entertainment system. The console ships with many benefits over the Xbox 360, including built-in Wi-Fi and a Blu-ray drive. New content is available today in the US, while the UK, France, Germany, and Spain will get access in the future. Among the new titles is Inglourious Basterds, Public Enemies, and District 9.
It should be interesting to see how, or if competing products and services respond – especially those who mostly profit from renting movies, like BlockBuster. Studios have been somewhat hesitant to allow HD movie rentals, as it cuts into Blu-ray sales.