Disney have recently taken steps to allow consumers to purchase and keep digital downloads of their movies using CinemaNow. Unlike some downloadable movie sites, this one allows you to keep your downloaded movie for as long as you want unlike others which work on a timed basis a lot like a movie rental. There is even talk of allowing people to back up their movies, although reports say users will not be allowed to playback movies in a standalone DVD player.
CinemaNow are said to be offering this new Disney service very soon with prices rumoured at $19.95 approximately œ11.00, the price same as purchasing the DVD. Release dates for downloadable movies are supposed to be the same on both digital download and DVD release, with both new and old Disney films being available.
This must be quite a big step for Disney. Embracing a 'download to own' scheme has its risks. Is this a measure to help cut down on piracy or is this the future for movies? Personally I still like owning the DVD. As media pc's and portable media players are becoming more popular the digital market is ever growing and Disney have now staked their claim.