Lovefilm, the Netflix-of-Europe, signs deal with Widevine to beef up multi-platform play

Lovefilm, the Netflix-of-Europe, looks set to beef up its multi-platform play via a newly signed agreement with DRM and adaptive streaming technology provider Widevine.

The deal will see the US-based company become Lovefilm’s “preferred provider of digital rights management and video optimisation solutions”, enabling the video subscription service to continue to break out from its ‘DVDs by post’ legacy into the video-on-demand market, ensuring that its digital content is “playable on many new devices.”

The Widevine platform is said to be deployed by major Internet content services and large cable, satellite and telecommunication companies “launching over-the-top strategies”, with support extending to “nearly all major brands and types of network connected consumer electronics including televisions, Blu-ray players, mobile devices, gaming systems and more.”

Lovefilm claims 1.4 million members who can access over 67,000 titles for rental via DVD, whilst on the digital side it offers thousands of films and TV shows via its ‘Watch Online’ facility which is available on the desktop web through the “LOVEFiLM Player” and through devices including SONY BRAVIA and Samsung TVs.