Disney delivers ‘Narnia’ content to Video-iPods and PCs

Buena Vista Pictures Marketing, a unit of the Walt Disney Studios announced the availability of full-screen, theatrical-quality video content from Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe directly to the PCs and video-enabled iPods of movie fans.

Using a broadband video software platform from Maven Networks, Disney launched The Narnia Full-Screen Experience. The Internet channel, available on the film’s official website, narnia.com, allows broadband consumers to receive trailers, clips, behind-the-scenes segments, interviews, and other film content to their laptops or PCs in unmatched theatrical quality.

For consumers who enjoy “on the go” viewing options, the Maven software allows them to receive trailers and clips that are automatically downloaded and synchronized directly to their video-enabled iPods.

With this initiative, Disney becomes the first film studio to publish promotional campaigns to video-enabled iPods. With video consumption rapidly on the rise online and through Internet-enabled devices, Maven’s software allows Disney to deliver and manage its video content in a single package, optimally encoded and formatted for iPod, PC and TV viewing. Other video solutions only provide video optimised for a single device or require content owners to pre-select formats and download content independently and multiple times.

“The Narnia Full-Screen Experience ushers in an exciting, cutting-edge way of delivering movie materials to audiences. The Maven application allows movie fans at home to see trailers and clips the way they should be seen, in the highest theatrical quality possible. With the tremendous amount of interest we’ve already seen for ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’ we felt this was the perfect opportunity to partner with Maven, as there is no better application to showcase the scope and grandeur of the movie,” said Buena Vista Pictures Marketing senior vice president publicity Dennis Rice.

“Consumers are watching videos online anywhere, anytime they want, and want access to the same content on all of their entertainment devices. We’re proud to partner with Disney in making highest-quality content available to video-enabled iPods and PCs, and in helping them market their film content to meet changing consumer viewing habits,” said Maven Networks CEO Hilmi Ozguc.

Maven Networks’ broadband video software platform powers the online experience of film studios, media companies and marketers who seek rich user experience in an era when consumers spend more of their media time online. Once installed, the Narnia channel automatically checks for content updates, and will also offer a range of interactive options, including the ability to send to a friend, check for movie times and purchase tickets.

Directed by Andrew Adamson and produced by Academy Award-winning producer Mark Johnson, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year, and is scheduled to release worldwide on 9 December.

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