Warner Bros. to open "Warner On Demand" online video store in Japan at end of November 2009.

Japan (and the world’s) first ever seamless VOD service between PC and mobile phones

Japan’s only download to own (“Electronic Sell-Through”) website for WB films and TV series

Tokyo - Warner Entertainment Japan Inc. today announced plans to launch by the end of November 2009 “Warner On Demand”, a website where Japanese consumers can rent or buy Warner Bros. films and TV series for the first time ever directly from the Studio via VOD (video-on-demand) and download to own (“Electronic Sell-Through”) on their PCs and mobile phones. The announcement was made by William Ireton, President and Representative Director, Warner Entertainment Japan Inc. and Marc Gareton, Executive Vice President, Asia-Pacific, International Warner Home Video and Digital Distribution.

With the launch of “Warner On Demand”, Warner Bros. aims to deepen its understanding of consumers’ movie and TV series preferences, building a direct relationship with them. Part of a global Warner Bros. loyalty programme begun in the US, and now extended to Japan, Warner On Demand customers will receive regular news and updates from the Studio on all Theatrical, Blu-Ray, DVD and digital VOD and EST new releases and be able to participate in special promotions and sweepstakes. In addition to this new “Warner On Demand” service, Warner Bros. films and tv content will also continue to be enjoyed by Japanese consumers through Warner Bros.’ highly valued existing partner channels.

To buy content through “Warner On Demand”, consumers will purchase a series of points, which will be exchanged per transaction for Warner Bros. films or tv content. Consumers will have access to a wide range of Warner Bros. content, both film and tv series, from classic catalogue titles through to the latest features, including a number of titles never before released on DVD.

The world-acclaimed Harry Potter series, films 1 – 5, will be available from launch on download to own (with 1,2 and 3 available on VOD from December 2nd for a limited period), and the blockbuster hit film Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will be available, download to own, from December 2nd, (and on VOD and seamless re-screening, from January 8th, 2010).

“Warner On Demand” is part of an important strategic initiative perfectly suited to Japan’s leadership in technology. It will help us understand and support our customers better and at the same time help to grow the overall market for online video in Japan", said William Ireton.

At launch, Warner On Demand will be the only website that offers WB content on a download-to-own basis (“Electronic Sell-Through”). Another key feature of the service is Japan (and the world’s) first ever “seamless re-screening” function between mobile phones and PCs. Consumers will be able to purchase a film on a Video-on-demand basis and if they stop the film in the middle on their PC, they can continue watching from the same point on their mobile phone. The reverse will also be possible.

“Today’s consumers want to watch our content wherever, whenever on whatever platform they desire and nowhere is this more obvious than in Japan with the advanced networks on PC and mobile phones. ”Warner On Demand“ responds to these needs. Being closer to the customer will in turn enable us to better market our films and tv series going forward.” said Marc Gareton.

“With the arrival of ”Warner On Demand“, and thanks to our partnership with Skillup Japan, Japanese consumers will finally be able to buy our films and TV series to own on their PCs. We hope also to reduce piracy by giving the customer legitimate services that are useful and exciting” said Julian Lai-Hung, Executive Director, Japan for Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, who is leading the launch and implementation of “Warner On Demand” across Japan.

Warner Bros. is partnering with Japanese software venture Skillup Japan (HQ: Tokyo, CEO Teppei Sakano) to make this service available. Warner On Demand will run on Skillup Japan’s “ULIZA” video content delivery platform. At launch, Warner On Demand will be available on PCs and only to NTT Docomo users for access by mobile phones.