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Amazon and Google Stream Two Movies Before Theatrical Release
Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 05:00 PM ETTags: Amazon, Google, Premium VOD (all tags)
One of them, 'The Hunter,' actually looks pretty good.
It's strange the way things work sometimes. Studio reactions to premium VOD what let users watch movies before released in theaters were incredibly negative, except for Magnolia, which is letting Amazon and Google have early access to 'The Hunter,' starring Willem Dafoe, Frances O'Connor and Sam Neill.
The movie was released on Australian theaters last year and is going to be coming out in the states next month. If you don't feel like going out though, you can watch it now through Google Play or rent it on Amazon. It's not too crazy expensive either – a 48 hour rental will cost you $9.99.
Google is also renting the film 'Dark Tide' which stars Halle Berry and looks absolutely dreadful. It's neat and all, but not exactly the kind of film that's going to draw a huge audience.
Source: Home Media Magazine
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Analyst Says Same-Day Theatrical and VOD Releases Would Help Industry
Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 02:00 PM ETTags: Premium VOD, Industry Trends (all tags)
He says that folks who are planning on seeing movies in theaters won't be swayed by the VOD offerings.
Despite the recent outcry from movie theaters, Richard Greenfield of BTIG says that same day VOD wouldn't hurt movie theaters a bit. If anything, he says, it will help the industry as a whole.
Greenfield says that offering a same day VOD release is a great step toward cutting down on piracy. After all, some piracy occurs simply because there isn't another way to get the product digitally. He also says that this will create far more income for the studios, giving them 80 percent of the money coming in, rather than the 50 percent they get from theaters.
"The reality is most people who were planning to go out to the movies would still go out," says Greenfield, suggesting that movie going is about the social experience and not just the movie itself. With premium VOD, he says that "studios would now capture consumers who were not/could not get out to a movie."
Source: Home Media Magazine
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Premium On Demand Version of 'Tower Heist' Cancelled Due to Theater Pressure
Fri Oct 14, 2011 at 10:00 AM ETTags: Premium VOD, Industry Trends (all tags)
Universal has pulled the plugs on Premium VOD for now.
Paying $60 to rent a movie for a night may seem excessive, but when the movie is still in theaters it starts to sound like a better deal. Factor in the $5 bucket of less than satisfying popcorn and a $5 drink to go with it - $10 if you're at a theater that serves booze - and you're looking at a $20 charge per person.
If you've got a killer home theater and some friends to invite over then premium video on demand may sound like a pretty sweet setup. Unfortunately, it's not happening - not yet anyway. Universal has canned the premium VOD version of 'Tower Heist,' instead opting for a normal release window.
Judging by previews, the Eddie Murphy fronted comedy doesn't seem like the kind of thing that will make theater owners big money, but plans to release it for on demand rental 21 days after it hit the silver screen irked theater owners who threatened to boycott. Those threats worked, but it's hard to tell just how long theater boycotts will work.
Source: Home Media Magazine
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James Cameron, Michael Bay, and More Speak Out Against Premium VOD
Fri Apr 22, 2011 at 02:00 PM ETTags: Premium VOD, Industry Trends, VOD, James Cameron, Guillermo Del Toro, Michael Bay (all tags)
Among the reasons, they cite the ever sliding price point of entertainment.
A group of directors including folks like James Cameron, Michael Bay, Guillermo Del Toro, Robert Rodriguez, Peter Jackson and more have written a letter calling to stop Premium VOD content from happening. They raise some very strong points, but there's no telling whether it will be enough to put the brakes on a project that television providers are greatly in favor of.
Many of the arguments are what you'd expect, but the letter brings up a few things that might not have been immediately obvious, like the ever decreasing cost of DVDs, Blu-rays, and on demand options.
"History has shown that price points cannot be maintained in the home video window," says the letter, "What sells for $30‐a‐viewing today could be blown out for $9.99 within a few years."
You can read the full letter here. (pdf)
Source: Home Media Magazine
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AMC Theaters Issues a Statement on Premium VOD
Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 02:45 PM ETTags: Premium VOD, Industry Trends (all tags)
Rather than a threat, the release is simply an appeal to eliminate the idea for the sake of theaters.
The folks at AMC Theaters aren't happy with premium VOD, but they're not resorting to pulling trailers or making threats - at least not yet. For now they're trying to appeal to an industry that's beginning to leave them behind.
"We believe the theatrical experience has a bright future, and we are aggressively investing to prepare for it," says the company in an official statement. "We are in the midst of a multi-year, multi-million dollar rollout of digital projection and 3D, IMAX and our own proprietary ETX format."
AMC says that premium VODs, or p-VODS, would threaten that expansion and the very existence of movie theaters as a business. To that end, they've expressed their concerns to studios and are working to ink special deals for movies that go to premium on demand. "The future is bright," says the statement, "even as it promises to be different, and we look forward to the success that lies ahead for all parties."
Source: AMC Theaters
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Regal and Cinemark Theaters Pull Trailers to Protest VOD
Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 02:15 PM ETTags: Premium VOD, Industry Trends (all tags)
Theater owners are doing everything they can to keep premium video on demand from happening.
Premium video on demand is the latest idea from cable providers and studios. Allowing users to rent a movie before the normal DVD window for an appropriate fee could help to keep money flowing. Theater owners are less excited at the prospect.
In response to the new VOD method, both Regal and Cinemark theaters will be pulling previews for any new releases that are planned to be released as premium VODs.
"Based on the recent announcement regarding premium video-on-demand, we are amending our policies for support of films from studios participating in the new VOD model," says Regal Cinema CEO Amy Miles. "It is simply not in Regal’s best interest to utilize our resources to provide a marketing platform for the release of premium VOD movies."
Source: Home Media Magazine
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Theaters Won't Screen Movies Released Simultaneously as Premium VODs
Tue Mar 08, 2011 at 01:45 PM ETTags: AMC, Premium VOD, Industry Trends (all tags)
At least two theater chains will be boycotting any film being released as a premium VOD.
"If a film has a four-to-six week window to a home, we're not going to give it screen time," says Amy Miles of Regal Entertainment. That's a sentiment echoed across the movie theater industry, which fears that a premium on-demand offering would dramatically hurt their business.
Premium VOD like the ones on the way from DirecTV would make the movie available just 60 days after its theatrical release and at a price of around $30 each. It's a high price, but it's cheaper than a night out at the movies for a family.
"We do not intend to screen movies released under such circumstances," says AMC Entertainment exec Gerry Lopez. "We understand the problem that studios are facing when DVD sales are nosediving, but we don’t see premium VOD as any kind of solution."
Source: LA Times
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'The Resident' Starring Hillary Swank Gets Simultaneous VOD and Theatrical Release
Wed Feb 16, 2011 at 12:00 PM ETTags: Premium VOD (all tags)
DISH Network subscribers will be able to watch the movie on the 18th.
'The Resident' probably isn't a film you've heard of. It's a smaller movie that's getting a limited release. It stars Hillary Swank and Jeffrey Dean Morgan and will be hitting theaters on the 18th.
What sets 'The Resident' apart is that it's one of the movies being used to test the waters for early VODs. The movie will be available as an on-demand option for DISH network subscribers on the 18th as well - the same day it hits theaters.
'The Resident' will cost $4.99 for a standard definition VOD and $5.99 for HD - not bad considering the premium VOD price estimates being tossed around by most companies.
More important that just being a movie available early, this test is a good way to voice your opinion on premium, or just early, VODs. Money talks, and if you really want to start seeing VOD content like this pick up, ordering 'The Resident' is a good way to show it.
Source: Home Media Magazine
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Premium VODs May Come With DVD/Blu-ray
Tue Feb 15, 2011 at 12:00 PM ETTags: VOD, Blu-ray, Premium VOD, Industry Trends (all tags)
Studios seem to be sticking with the idea of premium on-demand content, but they're hoping to sweeten the deal.
There's no question that a market exists for premium on-demand content. Paying $30 to see a movie that's still in the theaters - or just out of them - is a fair price point to some. For the majority of potential customers though, it's still just too high.
Steve Beeks of Lionsgate revealed an interesting idea to make premium VOD more appealing to customers on a conference call over the weekend. Instead of shelling out $30 for a one-night rental, you would also get a copy of the movie when it came out as well - either in digital or DVD form.
"Some of the cable operators have brought that up as a potential idea," says Beeks. "I don’t think we have settled on anything - we are actually anxious to see how the market develops."
The idea of premium VODs that include a copy of the film seem incredibly appealing, especially if a Blu-ray option was offered. $30-$40 for an early on-demand rental plus a copy of the Blu-ray when it comes out could be an offer too good to refuse.
Source: Home Media Magainze
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Fox Will Introduce Premium VOD by June
Fri Feb 04, 2011 at 01:30 PM ETTags: Fox, Premium VOD, Industry Trends (all tags)
It looks like the premium video on demand idea has caught on, with Fox joining the ranks.
Warner came out just a few days ago with its plans to introduce premium video on demand content and Fox has joined them.
Premium video on demand, a new movement from studios to make more money on their movies before rental services like Netflix and Redbox get them, is coming soon. The new option will allow you to rent movies just 60 days after their theatrical launch, instead of the current 120.
Movies will be priced appropriately of course. There's been no official announcement on pricing, but speculation puts rentals at points between $25 and $50. It's a lot for a rental, but it might be cheaper than a night out at the movies if you have a few friends over.
We'll certainly find out more soon - the first premium title from Fox will be launching by June.
Source: Home Media Magazine
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