Movie studios to begin VoD service for films still in theaters

Movie studios to begin VoD service for films still in theaters
The major movie studios, Warner, Sony, Universal and Fox have agreed to launch a new VoD service that will allow for rentals of movies that are still in theaters, or those that are just finishing their runs.

Dubbed "Home Premiere," the studios will offer movies 60-days after their theatrical launch, and at $30 a piece.



The viewing period will be 48-72 hours, depending on the studio behind the release.

Home Premiere will launch next month through DirecTV exclusively. Some cable companies, like Comcast, will get the service soon, as well.

The first two movies available will be "Unknown" and "Just Go With It," says Variety.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 1 Apr 2011 3:05
Tags
Sony Warner Movies Theaters VOD
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  • 18 comments
  • DVDBack23

    Now there will certainly be "haters" on the $30 price tag but consider what it costs for a family of 4 to go to the movies + food + gas and $30 is an outstanding bargain (as long as they have proper HDTV and quality of the streams are decent).

    1.4.2011 03:09 #1

  • dp70

    Are you aware most of the boxoffice revenue goes to the film company ? Usually the first week is 90/10 less house nut, then the "share" reduces as low as 40% film co and 60% cinema.

    United Artist Theatres does the booking, pays the tab for the cinema, the owner of the theatre keeps the concession revenue for himself.

    In the mid 80s theatre circuits declared bankruptcy to void leases for the 50,000 too many screens built.

    Exhibitors built these excess screens just to hold a film and keep the overpriced concession stand bucks for themselves.

    Presently the film companies are pressuring exhibitors to install digital and 3D digital systems at $ 100,000.00 per screen. Digital delivery reduces the cost of a 35mm color print. This saves the distributor around $ 1200.00 per print.

    The greed of the producers/distributors by having no clearance is not in the best interest of the exhibitor. It is the greed of the producer/distributor that forces the overpriced popcorn.

    I can hardly await the next chapter: Someone copies the $ 30.00 rental title and the MPAA files mulit-billion dollar lawsuits against the known universe for piracy.

    The exhibitor signs a contract for every film exhibited, it is such a well written document, only having verbage added to disallow copying and trying to get extra rental from 12 midnight to 6 AM. This rental contract dates back to the early 1920s.

    1.4.2011 04:20 #2

  • SomeBozo

    Can't agree more with you said...

    Originally posted by dp70:
    I can hardly await the next chapter: Someone copies the $ 30.00 rental title and the MPAA files mulit-billion dollar lawsuits against the known universe for piracy.
    But really get a grip... Multi-billion? Really i thought it would be in the trillions like the lawsuit against limewire :) source (http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2011/03/24/record_labels_want_75_trillion_in_damages_from_limewire)

    Take care and well said, damn you though... Now for some reason i have Dr. Evil from Austin Powers in my mind... Why go for Billions when we can go for Millions.



    1.4.2011 04:37 #3

  • KillerBug

    We'll call this lawsuit, "The Alan Parsons Project".

    I have to wonder how this helps anyone...the movie is usually on BluRay within 60 days of the first showings. Does this mean that they are going to hold back bluray releases in order to sell these overpriced rentals?

    I really don't think that this affects pirates at all. Even if the bluray is not out within 60 days of the first showing, the bluray rips are usually out before the first showing, and the cam rips are usually out within 1-2 days of the first showing if there are no promotional blurays distributed.

    I guess there are some agoraphobics that would like the service...if they offered it 60 days sooner, that is.

    In the end, the 60 days really kills it...you might as well just wait for it on disk, or wait 30 more days and get it through netflix...if you can wait 60 days, you can wait 90.


    1.4.2011 05:07 #4

  • emugamer

    After 60 days, the movies usually move to the $2 theater anyway by me. $10 for my family of 5. We bring our own candy bars and drinks.

    1.4.2011 06:19 #5

  • molsen

    I see this as a money grab. I much rather wait and watch at home, a lot easier for my family. I still have a 4yo, that's tough in a theater. I hate for possibly ruining the movie if my girl acts up, rare but has happened. $30 is too much of a money grab. I rather rent then buy, sorry execs another failed ideas.

    Idea for you execs: if you released the movie the day of the theater release, I would be more inclined to pay the $30 for the newness, not 60, 30, nor even 14 days after release.

    1.4.2011 07:44 #6

  • spartybob

    This is the beginning of the end for movie theaters. Once the studios start releasing movies to VOD 1 or 2 weeks after theater release (and it will happen) who will go see the movies at the theaters?

    1.4.2011 08:24 #7

  • plazma247

    cough cough stream rip :) yeah i can see that being a idea what does it use flash or some new form of drm that everyone can have a play with.

    HaHa i hope its a good bit rate :) bet its water marked to the hilt but then again its not impossible to beat with time: http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-news/music-technology-news/hack-proof-dvd-audio-watermark-cracked-at-princeton.html

    1.4.2011 08:37 #8

  • baxter00

    Originally posted by emugamer: After 60 days, the movies usually move to the $2 theater anyway by me. $10 for my family of 5. We bring our own candy bars and drinks. Yeah, what he said. It's barely worth going to the movies for $2 a pop. The kids is the only reason why I go to theaters, and that's still only once a month or every couple of months. There's just no good movies anymore.

    1.4.2011 09:17 #9

  • opx4real (unverified)

    April Fools!

    1.4.2011 09:32 #10

  • shortybob

    Finally! Quick, HD scene releases!

    1.4.2011 12:42 #11

  • hastypete

    Just wait another couple months and rent it.
    Also for $30, it seems it should be sooner than 60 days.

    This feels april foolerish.

    1.4.2011 14:11 #12

  • A5J4DX

    Originally posted by shortybob: Finally! Quick, HD scene releases! lool

    1.4.2011 14:16 #13

  • six60six

    this is in regards to the theaters not getting very much. why hasn't nato (the national organization of theater owners) had the balls to get more money? they certainly have the bargaining power.
    the studios need theaters as much as they need the studios (for a little while anyways, considering the article). personally, i will continue to bring in my own concessions because their excuse for the high prices is absolute garbage.

    1.4.2011 17:18 #14

  • Xplorer4

    Originally posted by emugamer: After 60 days, the movies usually move to the $2 theater anyway by me. We have the same concept here, except for its $3. Granted they use the old school technology, and do not have stadium seating, but for $3 its hard to argue with the price if your looking to see a movie on the big screen for cheap.

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    1.4.2011 20:25 #15

  • 20TONS

    It's going to be a tough sell to the consumer. Cable companies have VOD already in SD/HD format and the price per viewing is outrageous. Now the studios want to sell you on $30.00 per viewing for a movie that will be in a Redbox for $1.00 30/60 days later. I think i'll pass.

    1.4.2011 20:55 #16

  • KillerBug

    Originally posted by Xplorer4: Originally posted by emugamer: After 60 days, the movies usually move to the $2 theater anyway by me. We have the same concept here, except for its $3. Granted they use the old school technology, and do not have stadium seating, but for $3 its hard to argue with the price if your looking to see a movie on the big screen for cheap. Even the drive-in gets them in under 60 days...and most of the people there don't care what is on the screen anyway.


    1.4.2011 22:44 #17

  • s_c47

    Originally posted by DVDBack23: Now there will certainly be "haters" on the $30 price tag but consider what it costs for a family of 4 to go to the movies + food + gas and $30 is an outstanding bargain (as long as they have proper HDTV and quality of the streams are decent). What about a family of one? It certainly sure as shit doesn't cost me thirty bones to go see a movie.

    Unless you factor in the booze I sneak in. And even then...

    Someone told me once that theres a right and wrong, and that punishment would come to those
    who dare to cross the line.
    But it must not be true for jerk-offs like you.
    Maybe it takes longer to catch a total a__hole.

    6.4.2011 04:18 #18

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