Vdio, a new service for buying and renting TV shows and films has just launched for viewers in the UK and US.
The online film and TV series streaming service is the sister site to music streaming site Rdio, and will be offered to US and UK Rdio Premium subscribers first as a “special preview”. This exclusive first access offering also includes a £20 credit voucher to test out the service.
Like Rdio, Vdio focuses on the social interaction elements, including Twitter and Facebook integration, meaning users can see what their friends are watching. They can then share “Sets” with their contacts, which is the Vdio equivalent of a music playlist made up of TV and movie suggestions.
“When we thought about doing a video service, knowing the licensing challenges and the way things are windowed especially on the TV side, we wanted to launch with the newest and best content,” said CEO of Vdio and Rdio Drew Larner. “To do that you have to use the transactional model.”
The new TV and film streaming service will offer content on a pay-per-view basis akin to the Tesco owned BlinkBox site. Larner has said Vdio will offer TV series episodes, including those from popular series like Mad Men, Homeland and Downton Abbey, the day after they are aired on traditional broadcasters.
“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.”
Currently offered in desktop and iPad app form, Vdio will soon be launching on other platforms with the same transactional model.
“We do like subscriptions, and there can be some really interesting combinations between Vdio and Radio. We are certainly focused on creating a global entertainment platform, even if I’d be naïve if I didn’t acknowledge a huge challenge to compete with the likes of Apple, Amazon and Google.”
To gain access to Vdio, users will have to already be a Rdio Premium subscriber, which costs £9.99 per month.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
