Apple hires Wal-Mart exec to run international movie and TV business

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 05 February 2008 10:28

Opinion and Analysis

Kevin Swint, formerly Wal-Mart's head of digital media, has been appointed by Apple to run its international movie and TV interests.

Originally reported by PaidContent and subsequently confirmed by Multichannel News, the move follows Wal-Mart's late December 2007 closure of its video download service and Apple's January 2008 announcement of movie rentals via the iTunes Store.

Given the apparent complexity of dealmaking outside the US and the seeming reluctance of some rightsholders to get involved in international digital distribution, Swint may have his work cut out.

We wish him well, and the studios and program makers should too - even though they probably don't realise (or aren't prepared to admit) it. Every day's delay in getting video purchase and rental services up and running around the world means more and more ordinary people will become used to getting their movies and shows via Channel BT.