Dixons preps movie download service

Dixons Retail - better known these days as Currys and PC World - will launch an online movie service on Thursday.

Called Knowhow, the service will initially be available on Windows and Mac computers, but Dixons promised Android and iOS apps "within the next six months".

Some smart TVs - most likely Dixons' own brand, Logik - will gain Knowhow support in the same timeframe.

As device support grows, appropriate kit sold by Dixons' two chains will come with Knowhow pre-loaded.

Knowhow will gain support for Ultraviolet, Hollywood's attempt to build a cross-studio, cross-supplier cloud-based video service. Dixons promised UV compatibility will come to Knowhow later this year.

UV lets punters build online libraries of content that can be played on any UV-compatible device or app.

For now, Knowhow prices new releases at £3.99 to rent and £12.99 to buy, while old, back-catalogue titles are priced from £2.99 to rent and from £5.99 to buy. TV shows start at £1.99.

A given video can be downloaded to and played on up to five devices per account.

Knowhow goes live on 1 March. ®