Sonic Solutions Selects Widevine for Video Optimization and DRM

Monday, June 8th, 2009
Widevine logo

Widevine technology licensed for inclusion in Sonic’s Roxio CinemaNow SDK

SEATTLE, WA and MARIN COUNTY, CA — Widevine® and Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC) today announced a value added reseller agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Widevine adaptive streaming, interactive DVD/Blu-ray features and DRM will be used to help facilitate Roxio® CinemaNow® digital entertainment experiences on broadband-enabled consumer electronics (CE).

The Roxio CinemaNow SDK enables internet storefronts of Blockbuster and CinemaNow to be seamlessly accessed from connected Blu-ray players, TVs, mobile internet devices, personal video recorders, gaming systems and other home media platforms.

“Our collaboration with Widevine helps further our vision to allow consumers to access digital Hollywood content anytime, anywhere,” said Dave Habiger, president and CEO, Sonic Solutions. “Widevine’s adaptive streaming, interactive DVD/ Blu-ray features and DRM ensure content remains secure on any device consumers are using, while maintaining the highest quality digital entertainment experience.”

“The consumer appetite for physical media is waning while the switch to internet consumption is accelerating,” said Ralph Schackart, digital media analyst at William Blair & Company, L.L.C. “We believe the proliferation of digital devices will enable digital content to grow from 2.2% of the $20-billion domestic DVD market today, to roughly 10%-15% in 2012.”

Widevine enables internet video providers and video operators to license and distribute movies, TV shows and music videos on any broadband-enabled CE device.

“We are pleased to be included in the Roxio CinemaNow SDK, which provides Widevine with a broad footprint on connected CE devices,” said Brian Baker, Widevine CEO. “This footprint is extremely important as consumers increasingly access entertainment over the internet.”