New Warner Movie Gets Released To Theaters And DVD At Same Time, Not Same Place

from the teeny-tiny-test dept

The idea that movie piracy can be reduced by simultaneous theater and DVD releases has been batted around for a little while now. The logic is simple: give people a choice of what medium they want to see a movie, and they'll be less likely to try obtaining it by unsanctioned means. Earlier this year, Blockbuster UK's chief voiced this opinion. Then a couple months ago, director Steven Soderbergh pursued this strategy in his new film deal, which calls for releasing his next six films in theaters, DVD, pay-per-view, and satellite TV at the same time. Now a major studio is testing the waters: Warner released the DVD of a new movie in China the day it appeared in U.S. theaters. While this is an encouraging sign of creative thinking on the studio's part, there are a couple of caveats. First, the movie in question -- "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" -- was seen by about 10 people in U.S., won't be released in Chinese theaters, and is in little danger of significant piracy. Second, the DVD release is limited to China, where unquestionably tons of piracy occurs but not with this movie. Third, there's almost no hope they'll try a simultaneous release in the U.S. because, as one analyst in the story puts it, cinemas still sell several billion tickets a year and "that drives the DVD payday." Of course, it doesn't have to be that way. Hollywood could simply improve the theater experience, which would not only offset sales lost to DVDs but also rescue theaters from the painful decline they are already in. This would also help validate Soderbergh and other forward-thinking types, so that pretty much guarantees it will never happen.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  • identicon
    Griffon, 9 Jun 2005 @ 5:43pm

    snort!

    Want me to go to the movies? Get the frigging TV comercials out of them. I'm talking to you AMC! Oh yeah and stop charging over 10 bucks a seat, yikes.

    Don't want me to Down load a rip of a movie I liked? Let me buy it the same day it opened.

    Simple stuff.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Nadine, 9 Jun 2005 @ 11:36pm

      Re: What Only $10 bucks?

      Try 1800 yen (about $16) regular price in Japan. Yeah, I would prefer not to forget what movie I came to see before it starts, but like the gas prices you guys have it good!

      Another thing Hollywood could try is releasing good movies... why is everyone clamoring to see Star Wars III? They no there is no plot and the FX wont even if you have a new plasma and surround sound.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Tim, 10 Jun 2005 @ 1:55am

      Re: snort!

      Want me to go to the movies? Get the frigging anti-copyright-violation commercials out of them! I'm talking to you, mis-named "FACT"-uk.org.uk scum!

      (Just a sympathetic voice from this side of the pond...)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Dr. Don Blake, 10 Jun 2005 @ 7:45am

        Re: snort!

        I just bought the old 1960's movie "What's New Pussycat" on an MGM DVD last night, slid it in and was hit with an anti-piracy commercial: "You wouldn't steal a handbag, etc..." AAAaAaARRrRGGhghgh!!! It's like preaching to choir, no?!? And, as much as I like old school movies, Im sitting their thinking this isn't even the type of movie that would be ripe for pirates really, it's just for old cats like me ;-)

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 9 Jun 2005 @ 8:50pm

    Obviously..

    .. when this one bombs, they'll blame illicit copying.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.