AOL launches film download rental service

AOL has launched an online film rental service, with a range of films including Harry Potter and Batman available for download.

AOL Film Downloads is open to all web users, with prices starting at £2.99 for a full-length feature film, which can be played for a week after download.

Titles available at launch include Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Free Willy, Batman and Poltergeist, through to more specialist and niche titles, with new titles to be added to the service regularly.

People need Windows Media Player 10 or Windows XP Service Pack 2 to watch the films, which can be kept for up to seven days after download.

The seven day rental window starts from the minute the film download is complete.

AOL said download times vary depending on computer connection speed but estimates, that using a 1Mbps internet connection, they will take approximately two to four hours for a feature film.

Karen Thomson, chief executive and chairman of AOL UK, said: “AOL Film Downloads gives broadband users an on-demand option for their home entertainment, delivering the latest films directly into their home for a reasonable price.

“AOL Film Downloads is an integral part of the recently launched Play Legal campaign, which aims to inform UK consumers about online music, game and film downloading and encourage everyone to do it legally.”

The service will be provided by LOVEFiLM.

Last month, Sky launched Sky by Broadband, which lets Sky customers watch movies on-demand.

AOL members can access the library of films via the dedicated film channel on the AOL service, while non-members can find ‘AOL Film Downloads’ at www.filmdownloads.aol.co.uk