Director James Cameron tells the N.Y. Times why he opposes early premium video on demand:
“I do feel it’s not wise to erode your core business,” said Mr. Cameron. The problem, he said, is not that on-demand offerings will overlap with the theatrical run, since most films are out of most theaters within a month. Rather, he said, many potential viewers might skip the theatrical experience, knowing that a movie would soon be available at home.
and, in response to the suggestion that high-grossing films like his would not be affected:
“For me, it’s enlightened self-interest,” countered Mr. Cameron, who voiced concern that early video-on-demand would weaken the theater industry, making it harder to release even films as grand as his own.
An earlier story on Cameron’s opposition.
An op-ed from Hollywood attorney Kenneth Ziffren telling movie theater owners not to worry about shrinking the release window for VOD.
An article noting Ziffren’s undisclosed ties to DirecTV,
David Poland on the wider implications of shortening the release window here and here.
The L.A. Times on whether or not anyone will pay $30 to watch a movie that debuted in theaters 60 days earlier.