TQS StaffLOVEFiLM announced today their streaming service (LOVEFiLM Instant) will be available in HD across selected content and platforms. Many have been waiting for this move for a long time, citing it as one of the reasons they prefer Netflix (who have offered HD streaming since launch in the UK) in the increasingly competitive UK streaming market.
Ben Lavendar, Digital Product Director at LOVEFiLM said of the announcement:
“We’re as committed as ever to providing our customers with the best quality in viewing entertainment”
There will be no extra cost to stream in HD with existing subscribers to LOVEFiLM Instant being able to stream HD titles as their existing monthly package.
However, HD is not available across all devices. Currently it will only be available on PC/Mac with plans to bring it to the PS3 soon. LOVEFiLM have also stated they currently don’t hold the rights to stream in HD on the iPad so that looks out of the question in the foreseeable future.
If a title is available to stream in HD on LOVEFiLM you will see a ‘HD’ logo in the top right hand corner, shown below:
Titles currently available to stream on LOVEFiLM HD include: Twilight, Planet Earth, Lost and Son of Rambow.
Full details including technical considerations can be found here.
LOVEFiLM also announced today they’ve signed a deal with Universal Studios to give them rights to such films as Kick-Ass, Battleship and Senna in the second pay window (around 6 months after the first).
So, LOVEFiLM is now only £4.99 for an on-line only package, offers HD streaming and is signing deals left right and centre with the biggest studios. Netflix must be worried.
By Jamie McHale
