My latest in Boxoffice Pro on Netflix and simultaneous theatrical release: The entire argument for simultaneous release is founded on bad faith, shoddy data, and mysterious bookkeeping. John Sloss made waves in the industry with his call for transparency in the reporting of VOD revenues. It’s long past time for that call to be heeded. Netflix… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Premium VOD
Is the DirecTV Premium VOD plan a flop?
Patrick Goldstein says it is in the L.A. Times. The only question for him seems to be how big of a flop. The headline for his post gives you some idea: “Is DirecTV’s $30 movie rental test a flop of ‘Ishtar’-like proportions?” Yikes. Why he thinks it flopped mirrors NATO’s thinking on the issue precisely:… Read more »
23 directors and producers sign letter opposing shrinking release windows
Twenty-three prominent directors and producers signed an open letter calling on the four studios involved in the early “premium video on demand” offering from DirecTV. The Hollywood Reporter covers it. One of the letter’s signers, former Fox studio chief Bill Mechanic, speaks at length with David Poland of Movie City News about the value of… Read more »
James Cameron opposes early premium VOD
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…. Read more »
Establishing a price point without customers
The Wrap details some of the options theater owners have in response to shortening the theatrical release window for “premium” video on demand. What stands out for me, amidst the arguments pro and con and the throat-clearing before the main event, is the remarkable logic behind this: Curiously, the distribution executive TheWrap spoke to Tuesday… Read more »