Fox Signs Up With Movielink

Internet film download service Movielink has inked a distribution deal with News Corp.'s (NWS) 20th Century Fox, the company said Monday.

The Santa Monica, Calif.-based online digital movie service now boasts pacts with all the major film studios. The company says the deal reaffirms that broadband is a viable distribution channel.

Movielink is a joint venture of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Viacom's (VIA) Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, GE's (GE) Universal Studios and Time Warner's (TWX) Warner Bros. Studios. It also shows nonexclusive content from Disney's (DIS) Walt Disney Studios, Miramax, Artisan and others.

"Our deal with Fox marks a very significant step forward for Movielink and the movie industry," said Movielink chief Jim Ramo, in a statement. "Broadband VOD is proving to be a viable distribution platform for delivering premium content, and we are pleased that Fox supports our vision of bringing consumers a wide selection of movies on demand."

The news comes as the big telcos and cable companies fight to entice consumers with the so-called triple threat of Internet, phone and TV service. Advanced digital services like video on demand are expected to play a huge role in radically reshaping the communications landscape.

Movielink will add both new and older Fox titles to its library of more than 1,200 movies.