Liberty Media-owned Starz said yesterday that it’s shutting down the company’s Vongo movie download service, but that it will let Verizon and other affiliates offer a similar service.Vongo, which was launched by Starz in 2006, is no longer letting new subscribers sign up, and the service will fade to black after Sept. 30.
Starz is partnering with Verizon to offer Starz Play, which will provide the download service for $5.99 per month. Starz Play will offer 2,500 movie titles and other video content that can be downloaded to PCs and up to three portable devices. Subscribers to Starz Play don’t have to be a current Verizon customer to get the service. Starz is seeking additional distribution partners, which could include cable companies.
Vongo sold its service directly to Starz customers and gave them access to movies that could be downloaded onto PCs or portable devices for $9.99 per month.
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