By : Chris Tribbey | Posted: 26 Jun 2009
ctribbey@questex.com

Sonic Solutions’ Roxio CinemaNow is making inroads internationally.

Teaming with Japanese IT company Fujisoft, CinemaNow is streaming Paramount catalog and new-release titles on the Wii in Japan via Fujisoft’s video-on-demand service, dubbed “Everyone’s Theater Wii.” Sonic Solutions said it will expand the service to include other studios’ content in the future. However, there was no timetable for expanding the service beyond Japan.

“Increasingly, consumers are looking to access and enjoy movies via their connected entertainment devices,” said Alex Carloss, EVP of digital distribution, Paramount Digital Entertainment.

In addition, Sonic has partnered with Canadian DVD-by-mail service Zip.ca to offer the Roxio CinemaNow service online to Zip.ca subscribers in that country.

“We are already Canada’s leading DVD rental service. Now we hope to fuel membership and growth by becoming consumers’ destination for seamless digital movie access — a one-stop Entertainment shop,” said Zip.ca CEO Curt Millar.

Currently Zip.ca has 72,000 DVD titles available for its mail service.

“Entering new markets is another part of our strategy to make anytime, anywhere access to a broad variety of premium entertainment a reality for more consumers,” said Mark Ely, EVP of strategy for Sonic Solutions. “Zip.ca’s reach and leadership in the market will help make this happen in a more timely fashion.”
 

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