Reeltime.tv
Encyclopedia
ReelTime Media Ltd or ReelTime.tv was an Internet
-based video on demand
and electronic sell-through
(or download to own) provider located in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 2005 and went public in April 2006 with its service launched beta in November 2006, and fully commercial in February 2007.
ReelTime Infotainment, the main operating subsidiary of ReelTime Media, was placed into the hands of administrators on 11 February 2008. Its assets were purchased by EzyDVD
to form the service EzyDownload. EzyDVD was later placed into receivership in December 2008
(see below), Yahoo!7
(the local subsidiary owned 50% by Yahoo!
and 50% by the Seven network
) and various Internet Service Providers.
ReelTime was an ISP independent broadband TV operator, and a licensed Australian telecommunications carrier and datacaster, the system that allows transfer of data via DVB-t digital television. It also held a broadcast license in Singapore. Reeltime provided product such as online games and DVD sales for overnight delivery, in addition to legal movie, TV episodes, music and games downloads to purchase or rent from their online store.
ReelTime Media was publicly listed, with Sony
holding circa 8% of its issued shares/stock, plus options. As at September 27, 2007, its market capitalisation was some AUD$10m. An agreement was reached in late September 2007 with EzyDVD
as part of a wide reaching strategic alliance, with EzyDVD
taking a stake in the Company in exchange. An initial stake was purchased for cash by EzyDVD, with additional shares being allocated in 15 steps to EzyDVD as it increases ReelTimes revenues, acquires customers, performs marketing tasks, and reduces the operational cost base - whilst at the same time utilising its Au$100m plus buying power with Hollywood & Independents to get more content deals.
) outside of the US on a same day and date basis as retail release. ReelTime.tv delivered using a progressive download system allowing playout within minutes of commencement of download, such that feature length movie and television entertainment are delivered direct to PC, Media Centre, playforsure compatible handhelds and TV via the ReelTime Media Centre. Because ReelTime used DRM
via Microsoft PlaysForSure
, it was incompatible with all free operating systems.
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
-based video on demand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
and electronic sell-through
Electronic Sell-Through
Electronic Sell-Through describes a method of media distribution whereby consumers pay a one-time fee to download a digital media file for storage on a hard drive. Although EST is often described as a transaction that grants content "ownership" to the consumer, the content may become unusable...
(or download to own) provider located in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 2005 and went public in April 2006 with its service launched beta in November 2006, and fully commercial in February 2007.
ReelTime Infotainment, the main operating subsidiary of ReelTime Media, was placed into the hands of administrators on 11 February 2008. Its assets were purchased by EzyDVD
Ezydvd
EzyDVD, founded in Adelaide, Australia in 1999 by Jim Zavos, is Australia's largest online and off-line specialist DVD retailer. As of 2007 EzyDVD had 59 retail stores across Australia, around half being franchise stores...
to form the service EzyDownload. EzyDVD was later placed into receivership in December 2008
History
ReelTime.tv offered its service partnering with EzyDVDEzydvd
EzyDVD, founded in Adelaide, Australia in 1999 by Jim Zavos, is Australia's largest online and off-line specialist DVD retailer. As of 2007 EzyDVD had 59 retail stores across Australia, around half being franchise stores...
(see below), Yahoo!7
Yahoo!7
Yahoo!7 is a 50-50 partnership between the Seven Network and Yahoo! Inc. in Australia.As part of the Yahoo! Inc. and the Seven Media Group, Yahoo!7 brings together the online assets of Yahoo! Inc. and the television and magazine content of the Seven Network and Pacific Magazines...
(the local subsidiary owned 50% by Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
and 50% by the Seven network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
) and various Internet Service Providers.
ReelTime was an ISP independent broadband TV operator, and a licensed Australian telecommunications carrier and datacaster, the system that allows transfer of data via DVB-t digital television. It also held a broadcast license in Singapore. Reeltime provided product such as online games and DVD sales for overnight delivery, in addition to legal movie, TV episodes, music and games downloads to purchase or rent from their online store.
ReelTime Media was publicly listed, with Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
holding circa 8% of its issued shares/stock, plus options. As at September 27, 2007, its market capitalisation was some AUD$10m. An agreement was reached in late September 2007 with EzyDVD
Ezydvd
EzyDVD, founded in Adelaide, Australia in 1999 by Jim Zavos, is Australia's largest online and off-line specialist DVD retailer. As of 2007 EzyDVD had 59 retail stores across Australia, around half being franchise stores...
as part of a wide reaching strategic alliance, with EzyDVD
Ezydvd
EzyDVD, founded in Adelaide, Australia in 1999 by Jim Zavos, is Australia's largest online and off-line specialist DVD retailer. As of 2007 EzyDVD had 59 retail stores across Australia, around half being franchise stores...
taking a stake in the Company in exchange. An initial stake was purchased for cash by EzyDVD, with additional shares being allocated in 15 steps to EzyDVD as it increases ReelTimes revenues, acquires customers, performs marketing tasks, and reduces the operational cost base - whilst at the same time utilising its Au$100m plus buying power with Hollywood & Independents to get more content deals.
Technology
ReelTime claimed to be the first company to offer download to own for a major Hollywood studio (or electronic sell-throughElectronic Sell-Through
Electronic Sell-Through describes a method of media distribution whereby consumers pay a one-time fee to download a digital media file for storage on a hard drive. Although EST is often described as a transaction that grants content "ownership" to the consumer, the content may become unusable...
) outside of the US on a same day and date basis as retail release. ReelTime.tv delivered using a progressive download system allowing playout within minutes of commencement of download, such that feature length movie and television entertainment are delivered direct to PC, Media Centre, playforsure compatible handhelds and TV via the ReelTime Media Centre. Because ReelTime used DRM
Digital rights management
Digital rights management is a class of access control technologies that are used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals with the intent to limit the use of digital content and devices after sale. DRM is any technology that inhibits uses of digital content that...
via Microsoft PlaysForSure
Microsoft PlaysForSure
Starting in 2004, Microsoft PlaysForSure was a certification given by Microsoft to portable devices and content services that had been tested against several hundred compatibility and performance requirements. These requirements include codec support, DRM support, UI responsiveness, device...
, it was incompatible with all free operating systems.