As expected, Apple has launched movie sales and rentals on the iTunes Store in both the United Kingdom and Canada. In the U.K., over 700 movies from film studios including 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., MGM, Sony Pictures, and Lionsgate UK are available, with titles available for purchase on the same day as their DVD release. Over 100 films are available to rent in high definition on an Apple TV, as well. The films cost £6.99 for library title purchases and £10.99 for new releases, while iTunes Movie Rentals are £2.49 for library title rentals and £3.49 for new releases, with high definition versions priced at one pound more. iTunes Movie Rentals in the U.K. offer users 48 hours to finish watching the movie after they start it, although 30 day limitation on starting the movie remains the same as the US terms.
“We’re kicking off movies on the iTunes Store in the UK with over 700 films for purchase and rent,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “We think customers in the UK are going to love being able to enjoy their favorite movies on their iPod, iPhone or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV.”
In Canada, over 1200 films from 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Universal Studios, MGM, Sony Pictures, Lionsgate, and Maple Pictures are available for rent or purchase, and like the U.K., titles will become available for purchase the same day as their DVD release. The films sell at CAN$9.99 for catalog title purchases, CAN$14.99 for recent releases and CAN$19.99 for new releases. iTunes Movie Rentals are CAN$3.99 for library titles and CAN$4.99 for new releases, with high definition rental versions cost one dollar more. Over 200 titles are currently available in HD through Apple TV in Canada, and Canadian iTunes rentals share the 48-hour viewing window of those from the U.K.
“Canadians have made iTunes the most popular place to find and buy music and TV shows online,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “We’re thrilled to give iTunes customers access to over 1,200 movies from major studios to rent or purchase, whether to enjoy at home on their widescreen TV with Apple TV or on-the-go on their iPod.”
