Apsattv
20-06-2008, 12:14 AM
From http://www.itbrief.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2403&Itemid=808
In May 2007, we brought you the story of ReelTime.tv, an Australian movie download service promising to launch its online services in New Zealand for Kiwis eager to access Hollywood film and television content on their computers.
The announcement came hot on the heels of TVNZ's ondemand online service launch and it looked like online content distribution in this country would be revolutionised in a matter of weeks.
Since those heady days, TVNZ's ondemand business model has moved away from a strict pay-as-you-go business model to one relying more on advertising income, although users still have pay for premium content via a token system.
As for ReelTime.tv - and despite attempts to contact the company in the weeks following its announcement - there was only a deafening silence.
Now, according to an AustralianIT story, the fate of ReelTime.tv becomes high-definition clear. Despite clinching deals with online and off-line DVD retailer EzyDVD, Yahoo!7 and the Seven Network, ReelTime.tv crashed and burned without, it seems, ever launching its online challenge in New Zealand.
ReelTime Infotainment, the main operating subsidiary of ReelTime Media, was placed into the hands of administrators in February this year and in April EzyDVD picked up the $5 million network for "a few hundred thousand dollars".
According to AustralianIT, EzyDVD chief executive Jim Zavos has invested $1 million into a new online subsidiary to be led by former ReelTime chief executive Andrew Wilshire.
The new business will be taking things slowly, realising that "people aren't legally downloading movies anyway". Instead it will deploy proprietary software that protects copyright on $6 new-release movies in a model that will complement EzyDVD's existing business.
There was no mention of plans to tackle the New Zealand market again.
In May 2007, we brought you the story of ReelTime.tv, an Australian movie download service promising to launch its online services in New Zealand for Kiwis eager to access Hollywood film and television content on their computers.
The announcement came hot on the heels of TVNZ's ondemand online service launch and it looked like online content distribution in this country would be revolutionised in a matter of weeks.
Since those heady days, TVNZ's ondemand business model has moved away from a strict pay-as-you-go business model to one relying more on advertising income, although users still have pay for premium content via a token system.
As for ReelTime.tv - and despite attempts to contact the company in the weeks following its announcement - there was only a deafening silence.
Now, according to an AustralianIT story, the fate of ReelTime.tv becomes high-definition clear. Despite clinching deals with online and off-line DVD retailer EzyDVD, Yahoo!7 and the Seven Network, ReelTime.tv crashed and burned without, it seems, ever launching its online challenge in New Zealand.
ReelTime Infotainment, the main operating subsidiary of ReelTime Media, was placed into the hands of administrators in February this year and in April EzyDVD picked up the $5 million network for "a few hundred thousand dollars".
According to AustralianIT, EzyDVD chief executive Jim Zavos has invested $1 million into a new online subsidiary to be led by former ReelTime chief executive Andrew Wilshire.
The new business will be taking things slowly, realising that "people aren't legally downloading movies anyway". Instead it will deploy proprietary software that protects copyright on $6 new-release movies in a model that will complement EzyDVD's existing business.
There was no mention of plans to tackle the New Zealand market again.