Sony Pictures Distributes "The Interview" Online

(RTTNews) - Sony Pictures Entertainment announced that "The Interview" would be available online across the United States starting Wednesday, Christmas Eve.

According to Sony Pictures, the film would be available to rent in HD on Google Play, YouTube Movies, Microsoft's Xbox Video and the dedicated website www.seetheinterview.com at a price of $5.99. The film can also be purchased in HD for $14.99.

"It has always been Sony's intention to have a national platform on which to release this film," said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment. "With that in mind, we reached out to Google, Microsoft and other partners last Wednesday, December 17th, when it became clear our initial release plans were not possible. We are pleased we can now join with our partners to offer the film nation-wide today."

"We never stopped pursuing as wide a release as possible for The Interview. It was essential for our studio to release this movie, especially given the assault upon our business and our employees by those who wanted to stop free speech. We chose the path of digital distribution first so as to reach as many people as possible on opening day, and we continue to seek other partners and platforms to further expand the release," said Michael Lynton.

In addition to Google Play, YouTube, Microsoft and www.seetheinterview.com, The Interview is also being released in more than 300 United States theaters on December 25th, Sony Pictures said.

The comedy The Interview has opened in some US cinemas and online, after a cyber-attack and row over its release, according to media reports.

Sony Pictures had pulled the film, which centres on a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

But it reversed its decision after critics - including US President Barack Obama - said freedom of expression was under threat.

Some cinemas reportedly organized midnight showings for Americans determined to see The Interview on the big screen.

Several hundred independent cinemas across the US have come forward offering to show the title after larger cinemas decided not to screen it following threats.

Last week, North Korea rejected the U.S. accusation that Pyongyang was behind a recent cyber attack on Sony Pictures and proposed conducting a joint investigation with the United States.

The attack had prompted the U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment or SPE to cancel the Christmas Day release of its comedy movie entitled "The Interview," which depicts an assassination attempt on North Korea leader Kim Jong Un.

Hackers had threatened 9/11-style attacks on theaters showing the movie, prompting major American theater chains to say they would not display the film.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation (SON.L, SNE).