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The Interview: YouTube agrees to distribute controversial film about North Korea The Interview: Sony announces controversial film will be available to rent online from Christmas Day
(35 minutes later)
YouTube has tentatively agreed to distribute the controversial film The Interview, which is at the centre of a cyberattack scandal, according to reports. The Interview, the controversial comedy at the centre of a cyberattack scandal, will be available to rent on online platforms from Christmas Day, Sony announced today.
The video website owned by Google is likely to offer the film over its online rental service from Christmas Day, CNN reported, citing sources with direct knowledge of the talks. Viewers will be able to rent the film from Google Play, YouTube Movies, Microsoft's Xbox Video and a separate Sony website from Wednesday.
The online release of the Sony Pictures film will coincide with the movie's showing at a small number of US theatres.The online release of the Sony Pictures film will coincide with the movie's showing at a small number of US theatres.
However, the broadcaster warned the the agreement could still fall apart, and said Sony has been exploring other distributors. Some 200 independent theatres are to show the film on Christmas Day, after major chains refused, following threats from hackers.
Representatives for YouTube, Google and Sony were not immediately available for comment.
The latter plans to allow some 200 independent theatres to show the film on Christmas Day, after major chains refused, following threats from hackers.
On Tuesday, Sony said it was trying to secure other platforms so The Interview could reach the largest possible audience.On Tuesday, Sony said it was trying to secure other platforms so The Interview could reach the largest possible audience.
However, no cable or satellite TV operator has yet agreed to make The Interview available through video on demand.However, no cable or satellite TV operator has yet agreed to make The Interview available through video on demand.
The studio also held talks with Apple Inc about making the comedy available on its iTunes store, but the negotiations broke down, CNN said, citing two anonymous sources.The studio also held talks with Apple Inc about making the comedy available on its iTunes store, but the negotiations broke down, CNN said, citing two anonymous sources.
If YouTube's plans go ahead, the deal will mark first the time a studio movie has be shown simultaneously in theatres and on demand.If YouTube's plans go ahead, the deal will mark first the time a studio movie has be shown simultaneously in theatres and on demand.
Usually, larger studio films aren't made available on digital platforms for at least a few months after the initial theatrical release, to ensure maximizing theater box office.Usually, larger studio films aren't made available on digital platforms for at least a few months after the initial theatrical release, to ensure maximizing theater box office.
The talks come after Sony Pictures said it was cancelling showings of the controversial film, in response to threats of violence from hackers which said cinemas would face 9/11-style attacks.
But Sony said yesterday that it would in fact show it in some cinemas, wining plaudits from President Barack Obama.
Additional reporting by ReutersAdditional reporting by Reuters