Warner Bros. Becomes First Hollywood Studio to Make New Release Movies Available Through Video-On-Demand in China

Warner Bros. Becomes First Hollywood Studio to Make New Release Movies Available Through Video-On-Demand in China

LONDON, November 4/PRNewswire/ -- Warner Bros. today announced plans to become the first Hollywood studio
to make its new release movies available digitally in China - pioneering VOD
(transactional VOD) in what is already one of the world's largest broadband
markets. The joint announcement today was made by Marc Gareton, Executive
Vice President, International, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Shao
Yiding, CEO of Union Voole Technology in China.

In the first transactional VOD deal of its kind in China, Warner Bros.'
new release movies, including some that have never been released theatrically
in China, will be available to Chinese consumers to rent on VOD to their PCs
via Voole.com at a price of between 4 and 7 Rmb per title. Upcoming titles
will include I Am Legend, Fool's Gold and Speed Racer, with further new
titles announced as they become available. A wide range of classic and
library titles across films, TV series and special interest will also be
available.

"We believe that China is a significant market for us to expand our
digital distribution strategy and this partnership with Voole is an important
first step in helping us to reach the broadest audience for our movies," said
Gareton. "I am proud of the team that made it possible for us to be the first
US studio to offer this pioneering service, allowing fans of Warner Bros.
movies in China to watch them when and how they want."

There are an estimated 300 web sites offering video-watching or
video-sharing services in China. However, only a tiny fraction of these sites
offer feature length films, and even fewer actually own distribution rights
to Hollywood movies. Now, for the first time, anyone who has Internet access
in China will be able to rent Warner Bros. feature length blockbuster movies,
viewable on their PC.

"The fast-growing Chinese market already has significant broadband usage,
with a projected 230 million users by the end of 2008, said Tony Vaughan,
Managing Director of Warner Bros' Home Entertainment joint venture in China,
CAV Warner. "Over 80 percent of the total China internet population has
viewed online video content in the last six months alone, and now we can
offer them a wider selection of top quality entertainment the way they want
to watch it."

Providing reliable, high quality, legitimate, DRM-protected digital
movies to consumers on a timely basis is also an important part of Warner
Bros. efforts to compete with piracy. For example Warner titles will offer
the consumer a choice of original English soundtrack with subtitles or high
quality Chinese language dub. Research has shown that this is a significant
benefit versus pirated copies.

"We are delighted to be working with the Warner Bros. team in China to be
leading the market in this way," said Shao Yiding. "This new service will
provide more convenience and choice to consumers, and at the same time, help
us to combat piracy by offering great Warner Bros. movies in a high quality,
legitimate format."

About Warner Bros. Digital Distribution

Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) was founded in October 2005 to
manage Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group's electronic distribution
streams over existing, new and emerging digital platforms, including
pay-per-view, electronic sell-through, transactional video-on-demand,
subscription video-on-demand, wireless and more. WBDD also oversees the
WBHEG's worldwide digital strategy, partnerships in digital services and
emerging new clients and business activities in the digital space.

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros.
Entertainment's home video, digital distribution, interactive
entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVD production, technical operations and
anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation
distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of
content through DVD, electronic sell-through and transactional VOD, and
delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a
significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame
titles.

Source: Warner Bros Home Entertainment Group

Contact: Deb Lincoln, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, deborah.lincoln@warnerbros.com, +44-(0)20-7984-5033

-------
Profile: intent