The Kindle Fire HD has been available in Europe since October 25. The device came with Amazon’s own LOVEFiLM which streams movies and TV shows directly to users’ devices. Nook, the ever present rival to Kindle, is now just catching up.
Nook Media, now a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, announced today that it’s now offering a wide selection of films and TV shows to its customers in the UK. The video playback is available on the Nook HD and the Nook HD+ tablets. Users in the UK now have access to content from BBC, HBO, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures, STARZ, and Warner Bros. It’s also noted that Nook is the first digital retailer to offer UltraViolet in the UK.
“We purposefully designed our new Nook HD and Nook HD+ tablets with stunning high resolution displays for unmatched reading and entertainment experiences, and we’re excited to expand our content partnerships to bring Nook Video to our growing base of UK customers,” said Jonathan Shar, Vice President & General Manager, Emerging Digital Content, NOOK Media. “NOOK Video provides customers with the flexibility to enjoy their favorite movies and TV shows wherever they go and however they choose – all in spectacular digital quality.”
Some of the titles available day one on Nook include Sherlock, Game of Thrones, True Blood, Ted, The Amazin Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Rises, and more. The company said that it’s working to get more content secured.
Nook Video is available in two flavors – streaming and download. As for UltraViolet, users need only sync their account on the Nook HD and all of their content will be available for streaming on the device. Users can also shop for UltraViolet DVDs and Blu-Rays on the Nook and start instantly watching the digital version upon purchase.
“Barnes & Noble becoming the first UltraViolet retailer in the UK is going to change the way consumers purchase and enjoy their digital movie libraries,” said Jim Wuthrich, President, International, Warner Home Video and Digital Distribution. “With UltraViolet-enabled movies, consumers know their collection is stored securely in the cloud and can be accessed across numerous devices, including the NOOK HD and NOOK HD+. This convenience, combined with the ability for consumers to share their digital libraries with up to five family members, makes NOOK Video a very compelling destination to purchase movies.”