Movielink was a web-based video on demand (VOD) and electronic sell-through (EST) service offering movies, television shows, and other videos for rental or purchase. While it was only available to users in the United States, it was the first company in the world to offer legally downloadable movies from major studios.
History
The joint-venture Movielink was created in August 2001 by Paramount Pictures, Paramount Network Television, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. Entertainment. Movielink was launched on November 12, 2002. Prices for viewing a movie ranged from $1.99 to $4.99.[1]
The US Department of Justice Antitrust Division investigated Movielink in 2004 and found no monopoly issues with Movielink's distribution model.[1] In April 2006, Brokeback Mountain was the first movie ever to be released in DVD and (legally) online at the same time, on Movielink.