RACSA launches online movie service

State-owned Radiográfica Costarricense (RACSA) on Wednesday launched a new on-demand movie service for $7.50 per month, with an initial offering of 3,000 movies, TV series, music and the option to access social networks.

New subscribers will receive a free month to the service, called “One Play,” which will compete with similar plans offered by Neflix and cable companies.

RACSA expects to attract some 50,000 customers by the end of 2013. The new service aims to provide content for the fiber optic network the company built to confront an ongoing financial crisis.

Orlando Cascante, RACSA’s manager, said the company will keep the title catalog updated, and he said “users will be able to view content from any device: computers, tablets, phones and TVs. We also plan to add other services such online apps and high-definition television.”

Movies will be offered through a partnership with TotalMovie, part of Mexican Grupo Salinas (TV Azteca).