Broadband spat

摘要

When streaming-media technology led to an abundance of new business ventures in the late '90s, it all seemed too easy. In 2001, it became apparent that it was too easy as nearly all Internet entertainment ventures fell by the wayside. The reason: not only a lack of funding but a lack of quality content as well. Those broadband ventures that had access to quality content had access to quality growth opportunities. Or so it was thought. A lawsuit filed last week by broadband VOD operator Intertainer against three studio partners suggests that the broadband landscape may change again. AOL Time Warner, Vivendi Universal and Sony all worked closely with Intertainer over the past couple of years, giving the service access to first-run movies like Shrek. But the three studios, along with MGM and Paramount, are ready to launch Movielink, their own broadband delivery service. Once the Movielink plans began in earnest, so did the turning of financial screws on Intertainer.