Harry Potter goes to China in big new cable deal from Warners
The Chinese market is the biggest on earth - now the Hollywood studio Warner Bros is aiming to give 200 million people access to its films - dealing a blow to the black market!
Hollywood studio Warner Bros has struck a first-of-its-kind deal with the Chinese firm You On Demand Media, which itself has a joint venture with Central China Television's pay TV division, China Home Cinema.
The ultimate goal for Warners is a staggering 200 million Chinese households - but the initial plan is more modest: three million cable TV homes by the end of the summer. Chinese consumers will be able to watch their new films and older titles through pay-per-view and on-demand services. Movies still being shown in cinemas could even be offered. Movie piracy has until now been rampant in China. Bootleg DVD copies of new movies can be bought from street sellers or over the Internet. Jim Wuthrich, president of Warner's International Home Video , said "China is developing methods for consumers to view movies outside the cinema in a legitimate fashion. "Through You On Demand's platform, millions of potential consumers will be able to view our films. They will make it easy for consumers to see the latest films, including 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1.' "