(1 November 2006 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Thumbplay an online retailer of mobile entertainment content in the US has announced an agreement with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) to distribute products from Sony’s film and television portfolio.

Thumbplay is the first direct-to-consumer mobile company to offer SPHE’s premium content. Thumbplay members will now have direct access to content from SPHE’s entire mobile content catalogue, which includes content from feature films like Open Season and Spider-Man 3 to television shows such as Jeopardy, Days of Our Lives and The Boondocks.

Thumbplay founder and CEO Are Traasdahl says, "Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has been a leader in the arena of digital entertainment. Our partnership with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment allows us to deliver an extensive selection of exciting mobile entertainment to our members, who can now enjoy Sony’s premium catalog of motion pictures and television shows."

Thumbplay members will have direct access to games, ringtones and wallpapers from SPHE’s extensive mobile catalog. Highlights include content from upcoming and past releases.

Thumbplay’s catalogue also includes Sony’s diverse television content such as 80s hits like Different Strokes and What’s Happening; daytime dramas like Days of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless and game shows such as Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

SPHE president mobile entertainment Eric Berger says, "We are thrilled to bring a personalized mobile experience to wireless consumers of all ages with our diverse content. Thumbplay's success in the direct-to-consumer mobile market represents an excellent platform to further expand SPHE’s vision of making entertainment accessible to consumers whenever, wherever and however they want."

Thumbplay currently offers more than 50,000 pieces of mobile entertainment content, including ringtones, wallpapers, games and text-based services. Members can purchase content as part of the Thumbplay subscription plan or on à la carte basis.

Movie lovers can enjoy Open Season right on their mobile phone through a large selection of content featuring original voicetones from the cast, ringtones and wallpapers from the first animated film from Sony Pictures Animation.