By Claire Reilly
JB Hi-Fi has soft-launched a new cloud-based video service known as JB NOW Video, giving consumers the opportunity to download or stream films and TV shows on a number of devices, including PCs, tablets and smartphones.
JB Hi-Fi CEO Terry Smart announced the launch of the service in a presentation to the Macquarie Australia Conference today. According to JB, the NOW Video service is “nearing completion”, but the retailer’s streaming site was live as of today.
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JB NOW Video will utilise a service known as UltraViolet, which allows consumers to gain access to digital copies of video content when they purchase hard-copy DVDs or Blu-ray discs showing an UltraViolet logo.
For example, if a customer purchases a DVD of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey from JB Hi-Fi, they are able to redeem the UltraViolet code found on the inside of the case to either stream the film over the internet, or to download a digital copy for when they don’t have internet access.
The UltraViolet service as it currently stands also allows users to buy a digital copy online through download or streaming and to have a disc included in the purchase price. It is unclear whether JB NOW Video will offer this service, although JB’s current strength in online retailing leaves plenty of room for consumers to buy a digital movie for immediate watching while they wait for a hard copy to be delivered.
UltraViolet also boasts relationships with a number of major content providers, including Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Roadshow Entertainment and Fox Entertainment Group, as well as overseas retailers such as Best Buy in the United States and HMV in the UK. All these companies are listed on the UltraViolet website as Alliance Members that “designed” the UltraViolet service.
JB Hi-Fi is currently advertising a number of major upcoming DVD releases on the NOW Video website, including Gangster Squad, This is 40 and Django Unchained, set to be released on 6 June 2013.
Comment:
The launch of JB NOW Video is a logical step forward in JB Hi-Fi’s digital offering and one that allows the retailer to enhance its consumer offering in stores and online. Unlike American services such as Netflix or Hulu, the UltraViolet service is tied to physical product sales, so it is not a direct threat to JB’s traditional strong suit of DVD sales.
It also neatly complements the retailer’s existing digital services, including the JB NOW music streaming service (launched December 2011) and its online eBook service (launched last month).
As a bricks and mortar retailer that strongly targets the youth market (think young staff and bright and busy signage) it’s also important for JB to target the growing trend in online shopping and digital consumption of media – trends that don’t look set to disappear any time soon.
The JB NOW Video website allows consumers to download a free digital copy of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey using a code found on their purchased copy of the DVD or Blu-ray disc (click image for larger view).
JB NOW Video is largely device agnostic.
JB NOW Video utilises a cloud-based video streaming service known as UltraViolet, which can deliver digital copies of TV shows and Movies for download or streaming (click image above for larger view).