Lionsgate Bows 'Hundreds of Movies' on Jaman.com

26 Aug, 2008 By: Erik Gruenwedel

Lionsgate continues its aggressive digital distribution effort with the announcement it is offering hundreds of library titles on download service Jaman.com.

Initial titles are available for free as ad-supported streams. Feature-length premium movies can also be downloaded for rent from $2.99 to $3.99 each.

Catalog and premium titles include: Dogville, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Requiem for a Dream, Reservoir Dogs, The Bank Job, Caramel, The Eye, Gods and Monsters, Open Your Eyes, Step into Liquid and Teeth, among others.

Movies are viewable on a downloadable PC/Mac-compatible player.

San Mateo, Calif.-based Jaman has similar deals with Paramount Pictures, First Look Studios, Magnolia Pictures, BBC Worldwide and Arts Alliance America.

“They have created a high-quality platform that allows us to reach a diverse and highly enthusiastic group of film fans who continually look for new content,” said Jon Ferro, EVP, TV distribution at Lionsgate.

The Santa Monica, Calif.-based mini-major earlier this month said industry data on digital, which includes VOD and broadband, showed $600 million in revenue for the first six months, up 33% from last year.

Lionsgate president Steve Beeks said he expected digital to exceed $1.5 billion for the full year and to top $3.5 billion and represent 15% of the home entertainment pie by 2013.

“We are not seeing evidence that digital cannibalizes any of our packaged-media businesses,” Beeks said. “In some cases it may actually stimulate the appetite for [DVD].”

Beeks said studios generate 30% to 35% of the consumer’s DVD rental dollar, while in digital the studio gets 60% to 65% of the consumer’s dollar and at significantly higher operating margins.