LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The home video arm of the Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:DIS – news) on Wednesday said it would release movies in the newly-developed UMD format for Sony Corp (news – web sites).’s (6758.T) PlayStation Portable handheld video game and media device.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment said it would release five movies this spring: “National Treasure,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Reign of Fire,” “Kill Bill Vol. 1” and “Hero.” More titles will be announced during the year, it said.
The UMD, or Universal Media Disc, holds about three times the capacity of a regular CD. It was developed specifically for Sony’s PSP, to be released in North America on March 24.
Disney is the first major Hollywood studio other than Sony’s own Sony Pictures division to announce UMD support. Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (Toronto:LGF.TO – news), a smaller independent film studio, is also backing UMD.
Disney did not announce pricing for the UMD movies. Sony has said it would charge $20 and up for UMD films.
