Apple to launch movie downloads, rentals in U.K. and Canada

Apple is set to announce a deal to begin selling and renting movies through the iTunes Store in both the United Kingdom and Canada, according to a Times report. Citing studio sources, the article says that Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros., and Twentieth Century Fox are all on board for the deal, which is expected to cover both countries. According to the report, pricing for downloads will be comparable to DVD pricing, while rental pricing will be comparable to the prices of traditional movie rentals. In addition to the four major studios, both Lionsgate and MGM are said to be party to the deal, leaving only Universal Studios and Sony Pictures out of the agreement. During his reveal of iTunes Movie Rentals in January, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said he was “dying” to expand the service internationally, adding that it would happen later this year.