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February 7, 2013
Stepping up to the challenge of iTunes and Google Play, Research In Motion (now re-named BlackBerry) has bolstered its music and video offerings for BlackBerry 10.
Ahead of its launch for the new operating system, the company said the new BlackBerry World storefront would offer a “robust” music and video catalogue for BlackBerry 10.
The announcement comes ahead of today’s launch of the company’s new operating system, BlackBerry 10, along with two new handsets. The company has been busy with the new OS, with Port-A-Thons to boost BlackBerry World’s app offerings and corporate apps made to appeal to its core of business customers.
The new OS could see a turn around in the company’s fortunes, which were less than ideal last year following management reshuffle, decreased revenue and network outages.
Video only in UK, USA and Canada for now
The catalogue would include movies, with most in store on the day the DVD was released, and TV shows, with next day availability for many of the shows currently running, it said.
The video download and rental section would initially be available in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States only.
Depending on region and distributor, studios would include 20th Century Fox, MGM, Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (US), Walt Disney Studios, Universal Pictures (UK) and Warner Bros. TV show broadcasters and studios would include ABC, BBC Worldwide, CBC, National Geographic, ITV, NBCUniversal (UK), Twentieth Century Fox Television and Warner Bros.
Music service available in 18 countries
BlackBerry World’s storefront would be DRM-free for music downloads and labels would include Rough Trade Records, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, the company said. This section would initially be available in 18 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, New Zealand, India and Malaysia.
Customers would able to preview tracks and use multiple payment options, the company said.
BlackBerry chief marketing officer Frank Boulben said music and video content was an integral part of a rich mobile experience (no kidding, Frank).
“RIM is committed to working with content providers to bring the best, most up-to-date content to our customers with BlackBerry 10, and to make it easy for them to get what they want.”
As for the new OS launch, What Mobile will be on the scene with updates on the website available after kick off.