Standing By: BAE Systems Insists Deal with “Un-Named” Hollywood Studio to Stream Early Window Content to PEDs is Still a Go
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APEX Insight: Hollywood studios are openly rumbling about BAE Systems claim that it has a deal with one of them to stream early window content on passenger PEDs – but BAE tells APEX it stands firmly by its story.
BAE Systems shocked the attendees at APEX EXPO in Portland, Oregon last week by saying it had struck a deal with a still “un-named” Hollywood studio to provide onboard content to passengers’ personal electronic devices. The news is an industry first, and caused a flurry of excitement and commotion that some found hard to believe, including industry veterans.
Hollywood studios are highly protective of their movies, let alone the release of early window content. Even films that do make it onto airline in-flight entertainment systems go through rigorous security measures and sophisticated encryption before they make it onboard.
Runway Girl Network reports none of the “Hollywood Big 6” – Disney, NBC Universal, Fox, Warner Bros., Paramount nor Sony – have admitted to approving streaming of early window content to PEDs.
However, BAE Systems reiterated to APEX Media Wednesday it has indeed secured a deal: “As we stated in an announcement on September 29, BAE Systems’ IntelliCabin® wireless In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) solution has secured approval from a major Hollywood studio for streaming early window content to both passenger- and airline-owned devices. We stand by our statement and look forward to providing this experience to passengers flying aboard aircraft equipped with our IntelliCabin IFE solution.”