
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is launching its PlayStationNetwork video delivery service this November in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, with other markets to follow in 2010.
The service will allow users to download movie releases to their PlayStation3 and PSP hand-held devices.
The move comes weeks after BSkyB and Microsoft unveiled the launch of Sky Player, Sky's online TV service on Microsoft gaming console, Xbox, from this autumn.
The PlayStation video delivery service will offer content, available to buy or to rent, from movie studios including 20th Century Fox, Disney-ABC-ESPN Television, Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Starz Media, Universal and Warner Bros. Additional local UK content will be announced closer to launch.
Titles available at launch include Angels and Demons; Bruno; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe; Crank 2; The Dark Knight and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
The service will be integrated within the PlayStation Network, using the same log-in, wallet system and user-interface. Visitors can search for movies by name or can browse categories such as "new releases", "genres" and "most popular downloads".
Consumers who choose to rent have up to 14 days to watch their movie and, once playback is started, have a minimum of 24 hours to watch the content.
Further details, including pricing, will be unveiled nearer to launch.