Universal and Lovefilm launching first download-to-own movie service

CNN has this piece announcing the first download-to-own movie service, launching in the UK on April 10th with `King Kong.'

From the story:

Films will be available to download the same day the DVD is released. Consumers will get the film in three formats: two digital files available for instant download -- one for a PC or laptop and one for a portable device -- and a DVD copy sent by mail.



Initially, 35 Universal films will be available, including "Pride And Prejudice," "The Bourne Supremacy," "Love Actually," "Nanny McPhee" and "Bridget Jones."



They will be priced from £19.99 ($35) for the latest releases to £9.99 ($17.50) for older films. Downloading a film will take between 40 minutes and an hour.



"The time is only 12-18 months away when you will be able to put the kettle on, get the kids ready and then have a great movie ready to watch," Lovefilm chief executive Mark Livingstone told [the UK's Press Association].

Wonder if that means that Universal will be first to venture into download-to-own in the U.S.....