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RIM signs up content for Blackberry

Monday, January 28 15:01:54

Research In Motion has a gathered a number music and video partners for its BlackBerry 10 storefront.

These range from Walt Disney Studios and Sony Pictures to Vivendi's Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group.

RIM announced the partners today, ahead of Wednesday's launch of its first phones based on its much-delayed BlackBerry 10 smartphone platform, which may be the company's last chance to regain ground it has lost to Apple Inc's iPhone.

Content partnerships are a crucial part of this effort as analysts have largely attributed the success of iPhone and devices running Google Inc's Android software to the selection of applications and media content they offer.

RIM said its BlackBerry World would include an extensive catalog of songs, movies and television shows. Most movies will be available the same day they are released on DVD, and with next-day availability for many TV series.

RIM's offerings will also include Matador Records, Rough Trade Records and Sony Music Entertainment music that will be initially be available in 18 countries.

The video downloads and rentals will initially be available just in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada and will include TV shows from providers such as ABC Studios, BBC Worldwide and CBS Corp.

RIM's U.S. shares were up 0.9 percent at $17.70 in trading before the market opened. (C ) Reuters