Posted Fri Oct 14, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by Dick Ward
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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