SAN FRANCISCO - Apple said Thursday it has deals with Hollywood studios to make popular films available for its hot iPods and iPhones via its iTunes online store as soon as the movies are released on DVDs.

Films available in the United States from iTunes this week due to the deals include Academy Award winners "Juno" and "There Will Be Blood."

"We're thrilled to bring iTunes store customers new films for purchase day-and-date with the DVD release," said iTunes vice president Eddy Cue.

"We think movie fans will love being able to buy their favourites from major and independent studios."

The roster of studios signed on with iTunes includes 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, according to Apple.

Movies downloaded from iTunes can be viewed on iPhones, video-capable iPods, personal computers, and television sets linked to Apple TV devices.

New releases will cost US$14.99 to download and US$9.99 will be charged for older titles offered in the iTunes catalogue, Apple said. ITunes rents newly released films for US$3.99.

The freshly-added iTunes feature competes with similar offerings from major US movie rental chain Blockbuster and Internet firm CinemaNow. - AFP/ir