Re-launch

MovieBeam Re-launches with HD Movies, $48.5 Million in VC Funding

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 14, 2006 - 10:39am.

Menlo Park, Calif. - MovieBeam, a video-on-demand service originally launched by Disney in 2003 but later discontinued, on Tuesday announced the re-launch of its service in 29 U.S. markets, and a new round of venture capital financing totaling $48.5 million. Mayfield Fund led the investment round; Cisco Systems, Intel and Disney also participated. The MovieBeam service uses over-the-air "datacasting" technology to deliver a weekly-updated library of 100 movies to TV set-top boxes. The required set-top box costs $199, while new releases rent for $3.99 each for a 24-hour rental period. Disney initially launched MovieBeam in three markets, but discontinued the service in April 2005 with plans to upgrade technology. With its re-launch, MovieBeam becomes the first video-on-demand service to deliver high-definition versions of some movies, which will cost $1 extra to rent.

Roxio Hires Napster Founder Shawn Fanning, Will Re-Launch Service In '03

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 24, 2003 - 2:38am.

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Roxio, the maker of CD and DVD burning software that purchased Napster's assets for $5 million at a bankruptcy auction last November, confirmed on Monday that Napster founder Sean Fanning will be brought on with the company, which plans to launch a licensed, fully-legal version of Napster by the end of the year. Initially, the service will not be based around a peer-to-peer network, the protocol on which the original Napster worked that allowed free-range copying of music files from anyone logged onto the network. "We're looking to put a legal service up by year end," Roxio spokeswoman Kathryn Kelly told CNET News.com. "Our CEO, Chris Gorog, is in talks with all the major labels now." "We won't launch until we've got agreements with all the labels to include a significant proportion of their catalogues," a source at the company told U.K. news site The Guardian. "And we won't just be a subscription service, which asks users to make a commitment of at least $15 a month, but will also sell music on a track by track basis."

tags: Napster | Re-launch | Roxio | Fanning |