U.K.

News Byte

Rhapsody Arrives in U.K. and Germany Via Napster Deal

Peter Kafka in Media on January 26 at 12:01 am PT

Streaming music service Rhapsody, which has only been available in the U.S. for the last 11 years, has finally made it to Europe. The service has finished a deal to buy one-time competitor Napster’s operations in the U.K. and Germany; last fall, Rhapsody bought Napster’s U.S. assets. Rhapsody competitor Spotify isn’t in Germany yet, but industry sources expect that to change soon.

News Byte

Miramax Signs On for Netflix U.K. Launch

Peter Kafka in Media on November 16, 2011 at 12:01 am PT

Miramax will distribute its movies, like “Good Will Hunting” and “Pulp Fiction,” in the U.K. via Netflix when the streaming service opens up there next year. Netflix has also recently announced U.K. content deals with Lionsgate Entertainment and MGM. Miramax, which spun out from Disney a year ago, has signed Netflix distribution pacts for the U.S. and Latin America, as well.

News Byte

James Murdoch Returns to Parliament for Another Round of PhoneGate Testimony

Peter Kafka in Media on November 10, 2011 at 3:57 am PT

James Murdoch, News Corp.’s deputy chief operating officer, is once again testifying before the U.K. Parliament about his role in this summer’s PhoneGate scandal. Lawmakers are accusing Murdoch — who at one point had been the presumed successor to his father, Rupert — of not being truthful during the two men’s July appearance. You can watch the event live via this Webcast; News Corp. also owns this Web site.

News Byte

Netflix Heads to U.K. to Take on Amazon

Peter Kafka in Media on October 24, 2011 at 4:04 am PT

Netflix says it will bring its streaming video service — but not its DVDs — to the United Kingdom and Ireland in “early 2012.” The announcement confirms earlier reports and speculation that the company would target the U.K. after a Latin American expansion in 2011; other reports have the company moving into Spain as well. Unlike other Netflix expansion moves, in the U.K. the company will run up against its first entrenched digital competitor: Amazon’s LoveFilm, most often known as “the Netflix of Europe.” Netflix reports Q3 earnings this afternoon.