Cloud-based movie platform UltraViolet is closing down on July 31, 2019, the company announced on its website.
When UltraViolet was first launched eight years ago, it was portrayed as a convenient alternative to piracy. The platform backed by major Hollywood studios, but certainly not all, The ideas was to allow users to store digital copies of purchased physical copies of films and TV-shows, which they can then easily access on various platforms and devices.
UltraViolet blames its closure on “market factors” including the rise of new platforms: “In the years since UltraViolet’s launch, we’ve seen the emergence of services that provide expanded options for content collection and management independent of UltraViolet. This and other market factors have led to the decision to discontinue UltraViolet.”
After July 31, UltraViolet users will still be able to access the movies and TV shows in their UltraViolet library, provided they have connected that library to one of UltraViolet’s supported retailers before the shutdown.
The supported retailers include Flixter, Sony Pictures, Fandango Now, Kaleidescape, Paramount Movies, Verizon FiOS, and Vudu.
Broadband TV Views. In December 2013 we wrote: “People who are still buying physical discs may be aware of UltraViolet, but their numbers are dwindling. In countries with fast broadband connections the numbers of DVDs and Blu-rays sold are going down – in the Netherlands sales of discs were down 36 – 38% compared with a year ago. So UV might be ‘added value’ to physical discs, it has all the signs of trying to repair a ship that is already sinking.
Netflix, Apple’s iTunes, HBO Go, Sky Go and others are now leading the way and offering consumers content anywhere and anytime on any device. There will be no rescuing a ship that many consumers have already abandoned. It is telling that parties such as the Walt Disney Company and Apple are not part of the UV consortium – UltraViolet will not happen. (Robert Briel)”
