NBC Universal Makes Peer-to-Peer Deal

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NBC Universal on Thursday became the first studio to make its movie and television content available over a legitimate peer-to-peer network, announcing an agreement with closely held Wurld Media, creator of the Peer Impact service.


Financial details were not disclosed.


Under the terms of the agreement, Universal movies and NBC Universal TV titles will be made available for rental for a 24-hour viewing period after purchase. On-demand movies from the Universal film library will include “Ray” and “The Motorcycle Diaries.”


The move to film and television titles marks a first for Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Peer Impact, which already rents and sells music and video games to its subscribers.


“This agreement is a significant step forward in our goal to capitalize on the myriad possibilities of new digital-media services, in a way that allows us to safeguard our content from illegal distribution,” said Bob Wright, vice chairman of GE and chairman and CEO of NBC Universal, in a statement.


On Nov. 7, NBC Universal, which is majority-owned by General Electric, agreed to give the DirecTV Group Inc. on-demand rights to NBC’s marquee television shows on its USA, Sci Fi and Bravo entertainment networks. Viewers can access the shows commercial-free for 99 cents each via the new DirecTV Plus interactive digital video recorder.

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