Starz goes direct to consumer

The move to develop new video models is expected to become a full-blown trend this week at the International CES event as dozens of vendors unveil what they believe to be the next wave of entertainment.

Today, Starz Entertainment Group said it has teamed up with Sony Connect and Microsoft to create a service that allows users to download movies to their PCs, select portable devices as well as their TVs.

The service, branded Vongo, will cost $9.99 per month but gives subscribers unlimited access to more than 1000 movies and video selections, as well as a live, streaming Starz TV channel. Members may download movies and videos to three eligible devices of their choice per account. Select pay-per-view titles will cost $3.99 per movie.

"By combining the wide array of programming choices on Vongo with a host of new portable media devices being announced this week at the Consumer Electronics Show, consumers will be able to seize control of their video and watch whatever, wherever and whenever they want,” Robert Clasen, president and CEO of SEG, said in prepared remarks.

Sony Connect will make Vongo a cornerstone of its new Connect Video service, which will be launched later this year. Microsoft meanwhile will be providing the security element of the Vongo service.