According to a new NPD report, gamers spend the most time online via the Xbox 360 compared to rival consoles, averaging 7.3 hours per week.
PC gamers came in second at 6.6 hours per week, and the PS3 came third at 5.8 hours per week.
Overall, hours spent weekly on online games has increased 10 percent year-on-year, from 7.3 hours in 2008 to 8 hours in 2009.
Additionally, 20 percent of all games bought by online gamers were digital downloads, up from 19 percent in 2008.
Adds NPD Group industry analyst Anita Frazier: “The installed base of video game systems continues to grow, the platforms available to play games continue to expand and the options for content acquisition have never been greater, especially online. And yet, effective monetization of many forms of online gaming continues to be a topic of much debate and discussion within the industry.”
The data was collected from 18,872 online gamers.
Result for: content acquisition
IFC Entertainment has announced that 53 documentaries and other independent titles will now be available through Netflix’s popular Watch Instantly streaming service.
A few of the films included are the Errol Morris documentaries “The Thin Blue Line” and “Gates of Heaven, Christopher Nolan’s debut, “Following,” and “When Will I Be Loved.” For foreign films, the movies include the hits “Brothers” and “Gabrielle,” among many others.
The streaming service is free for users who have unlimited Netflix subscriptions, which start at $8.99, and is available on PC, Macs, and a plethora of devices including the PS3 and Xbox 360.
“Netflix has always championed independent cinema and has creatively built audiences for films in this genre, and we’re excited to give their customers instant access to this wide-ranging collection of independent film,” adds Lisa Schwartz, executive VP at IFC Entertainment, via VB. “Our top priority is to make independent film available to a wider audience, and this partnership further underscores that commitment.”
Robert Kyncl, VP of content acquisition at Netflix says: “Partnering with IFC Films gives us the opportunity to expand the number of quality films that our subscribers can watch instantly. This deal reinforces our commitment to bringing diversity to the library and properties like this collection of titles bring us closer to that goal.”
Result for: content acquisition
Hulu, the currently US-only online video service jointly run by Fox, NBCU and Disney, has begun signing content deals with international television producers, perhaps hinting at a global launch in the near future.
In under 18 months, Hulu has moved to become the third place video site online, behind YouTube and Fox Interactive, seeing 380 million clips viewed last month.
The main complaint with the service is the fact that it does not exist outside the US, but it appears Hulu is ready to expand the service to eight “leading broadcast markets.”
“We’re having discussions in the top six to eight markets…we’re laying the groundwork,” noted Andy Forssell, senior vice president of content acquisition and distribution.
In the UK, Hulu has signed deals with Endemol (producer of Big Brother) and Digital Rights Group, which will bring episodes of Green Wing, Peep Show and Doc Martin.
The large Bollywood distributor Saavn has also signed a deal with the online video site.
