Channel 4 pulls out the stops for the release of 127 Hours on Film4oD

6 June 2011

In another example of its unique user-focused offering, Channel 4's Film4oD online streaming service will provide access to 127 Hours on the same day as its DVD release (June 6th), complemented with a bespoke microsite bringing together a plethora of related content including interviews with the director Danny Boyle and links to his entire Film4 oeuvre. 

Film4oD has more new releases* available to rent than iTunes, Lovefilm and Blinkbox, and with many films available on the same day as DVD release, and some on the same day as cinema release, the on-demand film streaming service provides an unrivalled offering for film fans.

With films from major studios and independents as well as home grown films like 127 Hours, NEDS, Nowhere Boy and Slumdog Millionaire from Film4 Productions, Film4oD offers an intuitive, easy-to-navigate service that allows consumers to not only browse by movie genre, title and new releases, but also watch trailers, view box office details and movie trivia and enjoy specially commissioned movie extras.

In addition to the wide range of individual titles, Film4oD customers are able to enjoy a fresh perspective on the films they love through regularly updated themed seasons and selections.

The on demand release of 127 Hours on Film4oD will be promoted on both the Channel4.com homepage, and as an on air promo on the Film4 Channel.

About 127 Hours

James Franco stars as Aron Ralston in 127 Hours - the remarkable true story of mountain climber's struggle to save himself after a falling boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. The film reunites Boyle with Academy Award-winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and Academy Award-winning producer Christian Colson.

About Film4oD

Film4 Channel Manager Julia Wrigley said: "After a very successful launch,  Film4oD continues to showcase  'great films you know, great films you don't'  - viewers can rent films which amplify the seasons broadcast on the Film4 Channel, from the 9pm seasons like Films For Life, The British Connection and Sci-Fi,  to the finest foreign language and home-grown movies, including films made by Film4 Productions."

Simple and easy-to-use, Film4oD is an on-demand film streaming service which closely compliments the editorial tone and philosophy of the Film4 channel.  Almost 1000 individual titles have been bought since launch in late October, and the site has had more than 5.6 million page views and over 1.2 million unique visitors. On average, there are in excess of 8,000 visits a day to the site, of which returning visitors make up nearly 40%.

Two years of development and consumer research were carried out by VOD experts FilmFlex to deliver this market-leading movie service. 

All movie rentals stream within seconds of purchase and allow for unlimited playback within 48 hours of purchase. Via a personalised login and account, customers can start a movie at one location and finish it from another. All movies are protected by approved digital rights management technologies and the service is geo-blocked to the UK. Available to all PC and Mac users in the UK, the service offers two streaming rates, with users able to select different speeds according to their broadband connection.

* ‘New releases' denotes films available post their theatrical and DVD release but ahead of the pay-TV window