Doctor Who Goes Ultraviolet
BBC Worldwide announce first UK Ultraviolet enabled DVD and Blu-Ray titles.
This first on the list is the Doctor Who Series 7 Part 1 DVD and Blu-Ray.  Other titles to get the UV treatment are John Bishop’s new stand up title Rollercoaster, the new Top Gear special commission andAttenborough: 60 Years in the Wild – the forthcoming retrospective on Sir David Attenborough’s sixty years in natural history broadcasting.  The DVD and Blu-Ray releases for these titles will be UV-enabled.
UltraViolet (UV) technology will give purchasers of BBC Worldwide’s physical DVDs the additional right to a free digital copy of the programme or show which can be easily redeemed and subsequently seamlessly accessed via an ever-increasing array of devices including computers, tablets and smartphones. Streaming and download access are supported to enable both online and offline viewing.
Claude London, Digital Director for BBC Worldwide Consumer Products comments:
“We’re thrilled to be announcing our first UV-enabled DVDs and embrace this new era for home video – the UltraViolet era. We hope UV will empower consumers to build digital entertainment libraries and continue to enjoy BBC Worldwide releases either at home or on the move. We will continue to work as part of the UV consortium and with our supporting partner Flixster on further releases for early 2013â€Â.
Centred on interoperable cloud-based account management and content delivery, UltraViolet has been developed through DECE (Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem) – an open cross industry consortium including the major movie studios, technology providers, consumer device makers, entertainment retailers and video service providers.
For its initial slate of UV-enabled titles, BBC Worldwide has teamed up with content delivery partner Flixster which will also act as the supporting site for consumers to redeem the digital copy of their purchases. Details concerning the redemption process will be provided on a leaflet, designed in collaboration with other participating studios, which will be in the DVD case. Post-launch, users will be able to visit a BBC Worldwide site for further information after which they will be automatically transferred to the relevant Flixster location.
Wow… they went there? Most people I know are against the UltraViolet format as it’s not a true digital copy. When WB started doing this recently with their direct-to-video animated movies, the fans were howling in protest.