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Sony to release 'The Interview' online Wednesday

The controversial film will be released online Wednesday, with $5.99 rentals available from Google's Play store and on YouTube, among other platforms.
General Manager Delaney puts letters on the marquee sign after the announcement that the Plaza Theatre would be showing the movie \"The Interview\" in Atlanta
General Manager Brandon Delaney puts letters on the marquee sign announcing that the Plaza Theatre would be showing the movie \"The Interview\" beginning Christmas Day in Atlanta, Ga. on Dec. 23, 2014.

Sony will release its controversial film "The Interview" online Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., with $5.99 rentals available from Google's Play store and on YouTube.

Microsoft's Xbox Video platform will also have the movie, as will a dedicated standalone website for the film.

Google confirmed the announcement in a press release on Wednesday, stating that "last Wednesday Sony began contacting a number of companies, including Google, to ask if we'd be able to make their movie, 'The Interview,' available online."

Sony announced on Tuesday that it would allow a limited release of the film in select U.S. movie theaters on Christmas Day. The decision came after major theater chains said last week that they would not show the film on that original release date.

With reporting by CNBC's Julia Boorstin. Read the full story at CNBC.com.