Will Amazon ever partner with UV?

[bmore007]

I know there was talks a few years ago but those seemed to have cooled. Anybody know the latest? Any article i find is from like 2014.

Seems like it makes a lot of sense for them to do so.

[KenHurd]

I would probably buy more digital movies from Amazon if they did. I started out with the original Amazon Fire TV, and I honestly like that box better than my Roku Ultra, which has been buggy. But I've built up over 300 movies through Vudu by redeeming digital copies from my blu-rays, and since I've had my Roku, I've been purchasing digital copies exclusively from Vudu. I do use Amazon for digital rentals, though.

[stargazeruk]

It be nice if they did here in the UK. For me they are the only viable store that offer 1080p and 5.1 audio on most their content and best bitrates around. All the other stores are well crap (720p and 2 channel = crap)

They once announced a partner ship with warner for UV but nothing came from it and amazon never joined ultraviolet which was a shame.

[chip75]

It would be neat if they did, and they matched what they do with CDs, you can watch your purchase before the physical one arrives. They could give buyers 7 days to enter the UV code before removing it (as not everyone uses codes or passes them on) from their accounts.

[TheDean]

That time has come and gone I believe. I don't think anyone will be joining UV anymore. If anything, Amazon should do what Vudu does. Have an Instawatch type thing where you get an Amazon video copy with Blu-ray purchase. Like they do with some CD's, as chip75 mentioned. I can't believe they don't do it already. The only good thing about UV to me, is the choice of where to buy. I am only going to watch from one provider, and that is Vudu.

[atlantajoseph]

Another vote for Amazon joining UV. All these closed ecosystems are annoying... also Amazon's streaming platform is subpar compared to others so it would be nice to be able purchase on Amazon but watch elsewhere.

[MisterB]

Personally, I wish all studios would follow the DMA model, but I know that is a pipe dream.

As it stands, I'll continue to stick with Vudu.

[RandomNinjaAtk]

Originally Posted by MisterB

Personally, I wish all studios would follow the DMA model, but I know that is a pipe dream.

As it stands, I'll continue to stick with Vudu.

I disagree, because DMA has no built in sharing. I know some of the services have there own method, but I don't think it's as good.

The reason I can agree is that the front end vendors, like amazon, google and Microsoft all work with it. But that could be solved by them integrating with UV also...

[Greyman]

Originally Posted by RandomNinjaAtk

I disagree, because DMA has no built in sharing. I know some of the services have there own method, but I don't think it's as good.

The reason I can agree is that the front end vendors, like amazon, google and Microsoft all work with it. But that could be solved by them integrating with UV also...

As you said, DMA leaves sharing up to the providers. iTunes and Google Play have family sharing that includes DMA.

Vudu should think about changing the way they do sharing to include non UV items (which are not just limited to Disney).

UV sharing could also stand to be more user friendly; the ability to implement sharing has been removed from the UV web site and there have been issues with setting up sharing through Vudu. They have also apparently imposed a lifetime limit of 5 or 6 linked accounts (meaning if you drop one sharer that does not open up a new spot).

At this point in the game, at least in part because of D2D, Free2d and M2D along with the constant supply of Vudu credits I believe there is little motivation for any of the existing major players to join UV, where users have built up large libraries that they would then have to support. The best bet was early on, but that did not happen. Time will tell

[BlakkMajik3000]

Originally Posted by Greyman

As you said, DMA leaves sharing up to the providers. iTunes and Google Play have family sharing that includes DMA.

Vudu should think about changing the way they do sharing to include non UV items (which are not just limited to Disney).

UV sharing could also stand to be more user friendly; the ability to implement sharing has been removed from the UV web site and there have been issues with setting up sharing through Vudu. They have also apparently imposed a lifetime limit of 5 or 6 linked accounts (meaning if you drop one sharer that does not open up a new spot).

At this point in the game, at least in part because of D2D, Free2d and M2D along with the constant supply of Vudu credits I believe there is little motivation for any of the existing major players to join UV, where users have built up large libraries that they would then have to support. The best bet was early on, but that did not happen. Time will tell

Agree with all of this. iTunes also gets bonus points for a superior off-line experience (home sharing is still something only they offer).

Amazon really has no incentive to join UV. They have a large user base that buys content from them, and will continue to do so. Unless the studios are willing to force their hand (i.e. support UV or we pull our movies), I don't see Amazon, or any other big digital retailer for that matter, joining UV. And let's be honest here; at the end of the day, studios are in business to make money and there's no way they're going to cut off a revenue stream in order to force adoption.

As I've mentioned before, even VUDU has, imo, grown to a size that allows them to drop UV if they really wanted to.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by atlantajoseph

Another vote for Amazon joining UV. All these closed ecosystems are annoying... also Amazon's streaming platform is subpar compared to others so it would be nice to be able purchase on Amazon but watch elsewhere.

It would certainly be in the consumers best interest but, some are still pushing their closed ecosystems to lock you in and keep you buying their box. The DECE could apply pressure but at the end of the day it's about $. Amazon joining would probably get the ball rolling if they could come up with an enticement?

[bfett9]

I feel like the big thing from holding UV back for a more mainstream audience,
(because lets be honest not a lot of people outside of movie buffs and UV seller/traders know what UV is and how it works), is the backing of a major provider.

iTunes is not going to be the first on that list, they've got their own walled off garden and have no reason, they make plenty as is. The two big possibilities left are Google Play and Amazon. Both of them have an international reach and supply a solid back-end for content. They are also much more well known video services outside of Vudu and the other UV services.

Not saying Vudu is bad just it doesn't have the market to be recognized by the average consumer. Now to get one of them on board im sure it is a question of money, and having to open up their libraries to many users who already have a large library of films and shows. They would essentially be taking on the burden of having to serve people content they may have bought elsewhere, and hope that future purchases be made in their own ecosystem to make up for this cost. In a way they are opening their stores up to more competition as well. Because if movie X is on sale on service Y people can just buy X on Y and then choose to stream it on their service. In effect giving them $0 but forcing them to take the brunt of the cost of serving that content to you.

In a way its what most of us in the US do which is even if we redeem our content or buy it on sale on one of the other services, majority of us prefer Vudu to watch. But at same time we do give them a ton of other business usually by using their credits and D2D, and MD2D.

What im saying is its a double edged sword for all of the providers that are UV and those that are not. But if UV is to grow it needs to find a way to make it profitable on one of these "mainstream" services if they want more exposure to a bigger audience.

[BlakkMajik3000]

I've mentioned it before, but it's possible the DECE doesn't care if other major providers join.

One of the main goals of UV is to wrestle control of the digital market from iTunes. For years, iTunes was the de facto provider for digital movies, and all studios provided digital copies that could be redeemed there. Now, there is an alternative.

And at the end of the day, simply unseating iTunes as the default place for redeeming digital movies may be enough for them to consider UV a success.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by BlakkMajik3000

I've mentioned it before, but it's possible the DECE doesn't care if other major providers join.

One of the main goals of UV is to wrestle control of the digital market from iTunes. For years, iTunes was the de facto provider for digital movies, and all studios provided digital copies that could be redeemed there. Now, there is an alternative.

And at the end of the day, simply unseating iTunes as the default place for redeeming digital movies may be enough for them to consider UV a success.

Until Apple buys Disney anyway.

[Greyman]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Until Apple buys Disney anyway.

?
Not sure what you are implying, I don't think that would affect UV at all as neither Disney or Apple are part of it.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by bfett9

I feel like the big thing from holding UV back for a more mainstream audience,
(because lets be honest not a lot of people outside of movie buffs and UV seller/traders know what UV is and how it works), is the backing of a major provider.

iTunes is not going to be the first on that list, they've got their own walled off garden and have no reason, they make plenty as is. The two big possibilities left are Google Play and Amazon. Both of them have an international reach and supply a solid back-end for content. They are also much more well known video services outside of Vudu and the other UV services.

Not saying Vudu is bad just it doesn't have the market to be recognized by the average consumer. Now to get one of them on board im sure it is a question of money, and having to open up their libraries to many users who already have a large library of films and shows. They would essentially be taking on the burden of having to serve people content they may have bought elsewhere, and hope that future purchases be made in their own ecosystem to make up for this cost. In a way they are opening their stores up to more competition as well. Because if movie X is on sale on service Y people can just buy X on Y and then choose to stream it on their service. In effect giving them $0 but forcing them to take the brunt of the cost of serving that content to you.

In a way its what most of us in the US do which is even if we redeem our content or buy it on sale on one of the other services, majority of us prefer Vudu to watch. But at same time we do give them a ton of other business usually by using their credits and D2D, and MD2D.

What im saying is its a double edged sword for all of the providers that are UV and those that are not. But if UV is to grow it needs to find a way to make it profitable on one of these "mainstream" services if they want more exposure to a bigger audience.

I agree with much of that but, I think you might be under selling Vudu a little bit. I think they have become one of the BIG providers. Maybe someday we will see new numbers to bear that out. Growing Vudu may be the best pressure they can put on other providers to join, for the betterment of digital in general imo.

[bfett9]

Originally Posted by huskerbear

I agree with much of that but, I think you might be under selling Vudu a little bit. I think they have become one of the BIG providers. Maybe someday we will see new numbers to bear that out. Growing Vudu may be the best pressure they can put on other providers to join, for the betterment of digital in general imo.

They won't become a truly big provider unless they go international with the bulk of their library and D2D. I mean even Flixster worldwide does not carry every title in every region. There are other licensing issues etc. Were Vudu to roll out internationally then thats a whole other conversation. Would that help? Absolutely heck it might even be a tipping point for one of those providers to jump on the UV train so that they don't get out competed in foreign markets by not supporting UV.

We hear from plenty of worldwide users on forum saying that the UV providers in their areas are garbage and all of them love the Vudu service from those who can take a peek at it via a VPN or when traveling here.

But until that time Vudu is still not a household name and brand that people know. You say Amazon, Google or Apple iTunes people know that company in an instant and know that they are quality companies and services (not that Vudu is not) But ask the majority of people what Vudu is your just going to get blank stares even in the USA.

Part of that is a marketing issue on Vudu and Walmart's part. The only advertising I see is a tweet campaign once in a while, and a small sign at the exit for Walmarts. (there are a ton of Walmarts mind you, but when was the last time you tried something that was on a billboard or sign, ask me and I'll tell you I can't even remember the last billboard I saw)