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Vdio film and TV streaming service sees UK launch

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By John Glenday, Reporter

April 4, 2013 | 2 min read

Vdio, a new film and TV streaming service, has today been launched in the US and UK in an attempt to muscle in on the fast growing market.

Sister entity to music streaming service Rdio the new operation will initially be available solely to existing subscribers before being rolled out to new members.

A focus on social features is being prioritised in a bid to differentiate Vdio from competitors, allowing subscribers to see what friends are watching and share playlists with others.

Initially taking the form of a website and iPad app the platform will subsequently launch on a range of other platforms – although it will adopt a transactional rather than subscription model.

Vdio and Rdio chief executive Drew Larner explained: “When we thought about doing a video service, knowing the licensing challenges and the way things are windowed especially on the film side, we wanted to launch with the newest and best content. To do that you have to use the transactional model,

“To get a film like Argo now, you have to be transactional, even though it will be on services like Netflix eventually. In time, there will be very interesting things for us to pursue in terms of a combined subscription offering with Rdio.

“We do like subscriptions, and there can be some really interesting combinations between Vdio and Rdio. We are certainly focused on creating a global entertainment platform, even if I'd be naive if I didn't acknowledge a huge challenge to compete with the likes of Apple, Amazon and Google."

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