Dendy Direct has announced the first slate of film studios and distributors who’ll be bringing their content to its new on-demand movie streaming service, slated to launch August 6.
The list includes ABC Commercial, Beyond Home Entertainment, Entertainment One Australia, Icon, Madman Entertainment, Pinnacle Films, Roadshow, Transmission, and Umbrella Entertainment. From those studios, the titles we know will make their way to Dendy’s new service include high profile hits like The Wolf of Wall Street and The Lego Movie along with Red Dog, Tracks, The Railway Man, Transcendence and Edge of Tomorrow. There are also some deals yet-to-be-made with independent studios and distributors.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that all of those titles will be available at launch – Edge of Tomorrow is still in cinemas – but it’s an encouraging sign of the depth of catalog that Dendy is hoping to offer, and a sign of good things to come for the service they say is for lovers of quality film.
What we’re still missing though is an idea of Dendy Direct’s intended subscription rate (or rates), and any limitations like number of movies, number of devices or extra prices for “premium content” as we’ve seen levied by some other streaming services. All of this should become clearer as we approach the scheduled launch of the service on August 6.
Update Dendy has pointed out to us that it’s not a subscription service, but rather charges for movies on a pay-as-you-go basis. Prices are reported to be comparable with Google Play. New releases will cost $5.99 to rent in SD, and $6.99 in HD while buying a movie will range from $19.99 to $29.99.
Dendy has also given some more detail on the launch order for their apps. First to launch will be desktop, tablet and mobile (Android and iOS), while Samsung Smart TVs will get an app of their own in September. If you’re looking for Chromecast support though, you’ll have to wait a little longer – it’s currently slated for a Q4 2014 release.
Will you be trying out Dendy Direct when it launches? Tell us in the comments!
The pricing on Dendy Direct is going to be in line with other services in the market, such as iTunes and Google Play. Users just pay for what they watch meaning no extra costs for premium content, and there are no limitations to the number of movies or TV shows they can rent or own!
Not that I want to grill you, but what is the differentiator for the service over the likes of iTunes or Google Play? Exclusive (timed or otherwise) content?
Hi virduk, we have got a greater focus on supporting
independent and limited release content (although you will also be able to
watch major new releases and blockbusters). We also take a very
curatorial approach to content, to make it easier for customers to discover
titles in new and interesting ways.
Going to admit when I first heard about a dendy service I imagined films simulcast with cinema releases or at least before dvd etc, wheras more and more its sounding like the same older content thats on itunes, google play etc with a different app.
Why is it taking Aussie companies so long to jump on the chromecast bandwagon?
Because the ACCC seem to think it’s hilarious to let News Corp and Telstra (i.e. Foxtel) get away with ridiculously anti-competitive behaviour. It’s near impossible for any other company to secure licensing rights to content in Australia.
That doesn’t explain why the networks haven’t supported it yet in the existing apps (Hello ABC, SBS and Ten). I guess the explanation is tiny dev budgets and the limited local audience of Chromecast owners.
I expect Foxtel will in time, given the other devices they support not that I care about that.
Ah, yeah if you’re purely talking about Chromecast then I’d say it comes down to the fact that they’ve only been on sale here for around a month. However, I’d say in addition to that, as a result of the whole “Foxtel situation”, most Australian consumers simply don’t think about online on-demand video as viable alternative, because there’s simply not a lot of content; certainly not at a reasonable price anyway.
Which I don’t really understand. Even discounting naughty practices, the existing streaming services seem more affordable than the 100$ foxtel prices. Of course if sport is a major concern your options are limited.
The foxtel situation and there being no player with deep pockets certainly is a problem though. As much as I praise quickflixes determination without deep pockets they can’t afford to chase lots of content deals. I guess we need say Amazon to buy then and turn that into the local Amazon streaming service.
I fully intend to look at this with Chromecast Screen Mirroring. Sounds Awesome.