'The Interview' to stream on YouTube, Google Play, Xbox, Sony site

Sony's "The Interview" will get its wider release -- on the Internet.


"The Interview" may get wider distribution thanks to YouTube.
Sony Pictures/Screenshot by CNET
The comedy film, believed to be the impetus for the hack that led to the exposing of thousands of Sony e-mails and private documents, will be available at 10 a.m. PT today through Google Play, YouTube Movies, Microsoft's Xbox Video and a dedicated Sony-built website, Seetheinterview.com. The film will cost $6 to rent and $15 to purchase, according to Sony.

CNN earlier reported that Sony and Google had worked out a deal to distribute the movie on YouTube and Google Play.

Having YouTube on board greatly enhances the profile of "The Interview," which saw its chances of a wide release die out after national movie theater chains declined to play the movie. YouTube is the world's largest video site. The deal would also mark one of the few times that a major film would debut in both the theater and at home.

When Sony first approached Google last week, the search giant said it was "eager to help," but hesitant to get involved. "Given everything that's happened, the security implications were very much at the front of our minds." David Drummond, Google's Senior Vice President of Corporate Development said in a blog post.

But the company eventually came around. "Sony and Google agreed that we could not sit on the sidelines and allow a handful of people to determine the limits of free speech in another country (however silly the content might be)," Drummond said.

The deal isn't believed to be exclusive, according to CNN, and Sony is talking to other partners. Apple reportedly nixed a deal to bring "The Interview" to iTunes despite a request from the White House.

Apple, Netflix and Amazon declined to comment on their prospects for distributing "The Interview."

The film stars Seth Rogen and James Franco as a producer and TV personality who get the chance to interview Kim Jong-Un, the leader of North Korea. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said North Korea was behind the cyberattack, although North Korea officials denied the accusation.

Following the hack, threats made against any movie theater that would play the film convinced the major chains to pull out, leading Sony to initially scrap "The Interview." But widespread criticism, notably from President Obama and actor George Clooney, convinced Sony to release the film in limited locations on Christmas.

Good to see 'Murica didn't give up on this one.

Just finished watching it (Didn't take long to hit the internet airwaves after being released earlier today).

Wasn't expecting much but turns out it was actually pretty d@mn funny...to me at least with my sense of humor, lol.  I was more than ready to say it sucked and wasn't worth the watch but I enjoyed it for what it was...just a stupid funny movie and nothing more.

Rented it from Google Play tonight - not bad - it had slow parts but the beginning and end were really funny.  It was one huge "f#ck you" to North Korea and Un.  I can see why they would be upset, but they played right into the insecure image they have in the movie.  This was definitely one I am glad I watched and paid for.

This why Xbox has been down for hours now?

No, it was stupid Lizard Squad again

watched it free not to bad at all had me LOLing  

hey coolhand 

Watched it yesterday @ the Texas Theater in Dallas. Missed a couple of minutes because I kept getting up to get another pint of Community Mosaic IPA(in a glass!). Definately thought it was better seeing it with a crowd since everybody cheered and clapped when Kim Jong got blowed up. I laughed my ass off.