iCloud now supports downloads of "most" iTunes movies, apart from Fox, Universal

Apple's iTunes support for downloading previous purchases from iCloud has expanded into movies, although two studios, Fox and Universal, are still working to resolve an exclusive contractual obligation with HBO.

Apple debuted the ability to download previous purchases via iCloud for TV shows, apps and books. The company now notes in iTunes that "most movies" can also be downloaded to all of your devices "no matter what device you bought it on."

A report by Wall Street Journal blogger Peter Kafka for All Things D notes that of the six major movie studios, "News Corp.â€™s Fox and Comcastâ€™s Universal arenâ€™t in, because they have pre-existing deals with Time Warnerâ€™s HBO that give the pay-TV service exclusive 'windows.'â€

Kafka added "that should get sorted out eventually," citing HBO spokesman Jeff Cusson as saying, â€œWith every technological enhancement, we have always been able to find common ground with our studio partners, and weâ€™re sure that will be the result here.â€

From iTunes, users can now download movie purchases made dating back to the opening of the iTunes Movie Store, from most major studios and a variety of independents, including short films.

The second generation Apple TV running at least software 4.3 can already download previous purchases of movies in addition to the previous TV Shows option, although Apple has now made a new software update for Apple TV available.

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11 Comments

ahmlco

said about 12 years ago

That "minor contractual dispute" means that about 30% of the movies I paid for are not available.

Way to go studios. Haven't we talked before about screwing over the customers who are actually willing to pay for content???

jdmac29

said about 12 years ago

I was hoping with movies in the cloud this would pretty much be the death of ultraviolet.

I guess since this the movie is technically streamed/downloaded from the cloud that is the problem.

andysol

said about 12 years ago

The quicker ultraviolet dies the better.

I long for the day that my movies will be matched like the music. All my DVDs upgraded to 1080p for free with iTunes movie match. Oh... Dreams (studios would likely never allow it). I'd gladly pay $100 for it

pendergast

said about 12 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andysol

I think bandwidth issues might play a role too, which even in dream form would likely severely limit uploading of movies that can't be matched.

cory bauer

said about 12 years ago

Only 10 of my 23 digital copies show up in purchased; the rest are Fox and Universal titles. And since all digital copies are SD, why not an option to upgrade to HD like they did with iTunes Plus?