Sony Brings Box Office Hit 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' Home for the Holidays to Networked BRAVIA HDTVs and Blu-ray Players

Sony Electronics today announced that owners of Sony networked BRAVIA® HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc™ players will be able to enjoy an exclusive in-home opportunity to rent the Sony Pictures animated hit, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," four weeks before it is available at retail.

Starting today, customers who purchase a networked BRAVIA HDTV or Blu-ray Disc player and register the device between Nov. 9, 2009 and Jan. 4, 2010, will receive a free 24-hour rental of the movie in high definition (a value of $24.95).

From Dec. 8, 2009 through Jan. 4, 2010, the movie will be offered for rent at a cost of $24.95 on all current networked BRAVIA HDTVs, including the W5100, Z5100, XBR9* and XBR10 series as well as the company's new BDP-N460 Network Blu-ray Disc player.

Customers who already own networked BRAVIA HDTVs or have earlier BRAVIA models equipped with the BRAVIA Internet Video Link can rent the movie during this exclusive time period. Televisions and Blu-ray Disc players must be connected to the internet to receive the movie.

"Given our breadth of content and strength in networked products, Sony is the first company to utilize its internet enabled TVs and other networked devices to stream feature films directly to consumers' televisions prior to availability on DVD or Blu-ray," said Hiro Kawano, senior vice president for Sony Electronics' Home Division business. "We hope that consumers who own networked Sony BRAVIA and Blu-ray Disc players take the opportunity to bring family and friends together during the holiday season to enjoy this warmhearted movie."

The initiative will be supported by a special broadcast advertisement featuring "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" animated characters Sam (Anna Ferris) and Flint (Bill Hader). The ad will beginning Nov. 9, 2009.

About "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"

Inspired by the beloved children's book by the same name, Columbia Pictures' and Sony Pictures Animation's "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" is a family film that focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain. It has earned more than $170 million in box office receipts to date worldwide and will be available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc at retail beginning Jan. 5, 2010.

Bill Hader, star of "Saturday Night Live" and "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," voiced Flint Lockwood, a young inventor who dreams of creating something that will improve everyone's life. Anna Faris, who recently turned heads as the star of the comedy hit "The House Bunny," takes on the role of Sam Sparks, a weathergirl covering the phenomenon, who hides her intelligence behind a perky exterior. James Caan plays Tim Lockwood, Flint's technophobic father. Andy Samberg plays Brent, the town bully who has plagued Flint since childhood. Bruce Campbell plays Mayor Shelbourne, who figures out that Flint's invention can put the town, and more importantly himself, on the map. Mr. T plays the by-the-rules town cop Earl Devereaux. Neil Patrick Harris rounds out the cast as the voice of Steve, Flint's monkey.

"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" is written for the screen and directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, based upon the bestselling children's book written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett. The film is produced by Pam Marsden.

*excluding Sony BRAVIA KDL-32XBR9

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SOURCE: Sony Electronics

CONTACT: Greg Belloni of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-858-942-4460,
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