Shortly after the announcement of the partnership between DivX and Sony, the PS3 had a firmware update that enabled the system to seamlessly play DivX files. Sony continues to waste no time in capitalizing this new found relationship as details of a new agreement between the two companies have surfaced.
Both companies have come to terms of a deal that would have DivX be the exclusive format for all titles under Sony Pictures Television’s library. This would then be released as downloadable videos that would be playable on DivX certified devices (the PlayStation 3 being one of them).
"We are dedicated to finding legitimate outlets for our content and to that end are excited to be working with DivX to provide retailers with an expanded ecosystem for the digital distribution and playback of our digital media," said Sony Pictures executive VP of Digital Distribution & Mobile Entertainment, Michael Arrieta.
This would mark the first time the DivX format would get the chance to release high-quality Hollywood content. The spokesperson for DivX, Kristina Weise, emphasized that the video files would be on a download-to-own basis but they would have some sort of digital rights management built into the files to prevent piracy. Weise also said that the movies would be available in DivX format on the same day as the DVD release of each title.
Sony Pictures Television is made up of companies such as Screen Gems, Columbia Pictures Television, TriStar Television and Columbia TriStar Television. Shows under the Sony Pictures umbrella include Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, The Real Ghostbusters, Jeopardy!, Dawson’s Creek, and Seinfeld.