Licensing Agreements

[TuffWoD]

How close do you think Studios are to adopting a licensing model that better serves digital distribution? I am trying really hard to live with just the rentals off the VuDu but am finding it hard since most of the new releases lag 2-4 weeks behind video store release. Do you know if the studios are planning on accommodating digital distribution better in the future, Are they just living out contracts with the big video rental chains, or are they fighting it? I'ts kind of frustrating. I want it and they wont sell it to me. I'm not opposed to paying a bit more for same day releases.

[RonV]

Re: Licensing Agreements

If you are a rental DVD Tuesday person then the current VOD offerings are not for you. None of the big players: VUDU, Apple TV, Movielink, etc. Have any special deal with the content owners that currently can make this happen.

Here we can only speculate on where the studio's stand on brining out VOD rentals the same day the DVD is released. Currently Warner is the only studio that has "selected" content available on VOD for rental and purchase the day the DVD is released. Its going to take some time for them to not to just bank off of DVD sales and that the VOD channel is just as profitable.

[jleavens]

Re: Licensing Agreements

I think it's going to be a slow progression rather than a "breakthrough". They'll try it out with a few titles, and then a few titles more...

[HeadHodge]

Re: Licensing Agreements

None of the big players: VUDU, Apple TV, Movielink, etc. Have any special deal with the content owners that currently can make this happen.

Well this is a good example of what I'm trying to say about Directv.

If you watch TV, with the commercials, you'll see that Directv has National advertising (and on their web site too) that they do offer some movies the very same day as the DVD release. I forget what they call it, something like "Same Day as DVD" or something like that. But some examples of same day releases they had were 3:10 to Yuma and Shoot 'Em Up.

Again, I want to emphasize that I'm definitely not some sort of Directv neo-nazi. Just simply that RonV's list of "big players" doesn't include satellite is symptomatic of the fact that Directv is not considered a competitor (which I think is a mistake).

You need to recognize and understand the enemy. In the military we called it Recon.

[NA9D]

Re: Licensing Agreements

Well this is a good example of what I'm trying to say about Directv.

We don't want DirecTV and frankly, I am sick and tired of hearing about how wonderful they are.

[redwein]

Re: Licensing Agreements

If you watch TV, with the commercials, you'll see that Directv has National advertising (and on their web site too) that they do offer some movies the very same day as the DVD release. I forget what they call it, something like "Same Day as DVD" or something like that. But some examples of same day releases they had were 3:10 to Yuma and Shoot 'Em Up.

Listen to this misleading quote from the DirecTV web site:

No need to rush to the video store for the hottest new releases ? get them on Pay Per View where they're never out of stock.

I seem to recall another company that was chastized for appearing to claim that they would have every new release. In fact they used the same words "hottest new releases".

[NA9D]

Re: Licensing Agreements

It's possible that DirecTV is going to offer a "same day as release" rental option on movies that will also cost the user a purchase of the DVD. This is what Comcast is doing.

All VOD content has the same licensing structure across all providers. Comcast VOD gets movies a month later like ATV and Vudu. I seriously doubt that DirecTV is going to be any different.

[HeadHodge]

Re: Licensing Agreements

It's possible that DirecTV is going to offer a "same day as release" rental option on movies that will also cost the user a purchase of the DVD. This is what Comcast is doing.

All VOD content has the same licensing structure across all providers. Comcast VOD gets movies a month later like ATV and Vudu. I seriously doubt that DirecTV is going to be any different.

According to this article VUDU already does this:

Washington, D.C. (December 11, 2007) -- Vudu, the VOD set-top service, is planning to offer new video releases in High-Definition the same day they are released on DVD.

That's according to an article by The Associated Press.

Traditionally, the studios wait between 30 and 45 days after the DVD release before making a new film available on Video on Demand or Pay-Per-View. This is to give video retailers an opportunity to maximize profits.

However, Vudu today will begin a test of 'same day' releases with The Bourne Ultimatum, starring Matt Damon, which also makes its DVD and HD DVD debut today.

The Associated Press reports that it will be the first of many 'same day' high-def movies offered by Vudu

http://www.tvpredictions.com/forum/i...y071211-040454

[NA9D]

Re: Licensing Agreements

Well, can you find any other HD content by Universal Studios on Vudu? No, the Bourne Movies are the only ones.

And it's easy to say that something is planned or is going to be the first. But we have yet to see it happen. Only a few studios are releasing content on HD to Vudu right now and all of it with the exception of Bourne Ultimatum is rental only.

I'm frankly surprised that Universal started out as the first offering the 3 HD Bourne films but they've done nothing beyond that...

I know what the press release says but it hasn't turned into reality yet....

[Rusdude]

Re: Licensing Agreements

I don't think all content providers will move to same-day releases in the near future. Physical sales are too important for them and they want to be sure that looser restrictions on digital media isn't cannibalizing DVD/Blu-Ray sales. Which is why we see a few movies here and there as they are testing the waters.