The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

[LuzRinggold]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

It may be a bit confusing for the general public to know who owns the rights, but it in no way answers the question as to why the studio who owns the rights cannot get off their butt and make titles available for D2D a little faster. It would be a different story if this problem existed in stores who sells these same moves on DVD. They know who owns the rights or they wouldn't even be selling the DVDs and releasing titles on Blu-ray.

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

Fox distributes home video releases for Starz/Anchor Bay, MGM, and most Lionsgate (ie, Rambo, Stargate).

Universal also distributes some Lionsgate (ie, Twilight, Hunger Games).

Many Paramount catalog titles are distributed by Warner (new UPC and WHV mark) -- not really looked into it, but those are likely UV only.

Confusing. Anyway that can explain why the label conflicts.

When you say...

"Fox distributes home video for Starz/Anchor Bay..."

...I think is a different question as to what studio holds the decision making authority over;

1. if a title will be made UV/D2D
2. when to spend the money to do so
3. what digital copy method to use in conjunction with packaged media

Getting a packaged media onto a store shelf I think is what you are describing and a different topic from what is being discussed in this thread (digital copy redemptions).

However, this is dealing with nuances of entertainment distribution legalities which I need to confess I have little-to-no research knowledge about, so pls correct me if I am wrong.

One thing that does seem to be clear as good crystal, iTunes/Apple charges studios for digital copy formatting titles to be distributed through the iTunes store. Studios can by-pass this extortion by using UV, which is why there is such an effort on their part to move in that direction.

Three major studios have dropped iTunes all together for digital copy redemption.

The others seem to be gravitating to that same decision and I suspect iTunes digital copy redemptions will be resigned to history before too long due to the economic benefits of going UV exclusive.

[lostinva]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

Walter -- yes, that was the point. They don't self-distribute the physical media, it goes through someone else. Thus, the Walmart sticker on the shrinkwrap can say "FOX" (or whatever) yet that studio's role was really nothing more than managing inventory and shipping it to the store.

Luz -- no it doesn't, and it wasn't meant to. I was only addressing the labeling issue per someone else's comment.

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

Ah, okay.

Thx for clarifying. So the table is still valid, if I understand you correctly.

MAJOR STUDIOS	DIGITAL COPY METHOD	US/CAN MARKET SHARE (2012)	Link to Example
Disney Studios	DigitalCopy+	14.3%	Slip Cover Digital Copy Insert Redemption Page Code Accepted Select a Provider Enter Vudu Login... Movie in Vudu Libriary
Sony Pictures	UltraViolet Only	17.0%
Warner Brothers	Ultraviolet Only	15.4%	CLICK HERE
20th Century Fox	Ultraviolet Only	10.6%
Paramount	Ultraviolet & iTunes	8.5%
Lionsgate	Ultraviolet & iTunes	~7.5% (near-major)	CLICK HERE
Universal	Ultraviolet & iTunes	13.6%

MINOR STUDIOS	DIGITAL COPY METHOD	Link to Example
Starz/Anchor Bay	Ultraviolet Only	CLICK HERE
Relativity Media	iTunes Only

[Fofer]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

To be most clear, "DigitalCopy+" means the consumer can choose between iTunes, Amazon, or VUDU. Why not put that next to "DigitalCopy+" on the grid?

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

Mr. Fofer,

it was given some thought and I felt the extra wording was unnecessary. I felt anyone on the Vudu UV/D2D forum would have knowledge concerning DigitalCopy+.

Also, now there is image #5 which shows the three providers in the "Example" column.

However, if you feel I am being disingenuous I will be glad to add the three DigitalCopy+ providers to that column as well.

Just let me know. I will be glad to if you wish.

-Walter

[Fofer]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

I wouldn't say "disingenuous" as much as I'd say the grid seems "incomplete." There's plenty of room underneath the word "DigitalCopy+" to include that this means "Amazon, iTunes or VUDU," and that would clear up any confusion anyone might have, whether they are a seasoned VUDU UV/D2D forum member or not. Lots of newcomers visit here every day (especially with VUDU's D2D@Home promo going on right now) and DigitalCopy+ is a brand new option.

So yes, I'd say, your grid will be most informative with that info included.

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

MAJOR STUDIOS	DIGITAL COPY METHOD	US/CAN MARKET SHARE (2012)	Link to Example
Disney Studios	DigitalCopy+ (Amazon/iTunes/Vudu)	14.3%	Slip Cover Digital Copy Insert Redemption Page Code Accepted Select a Provider Enter Vudu Login... Movie in Vudu Library
Sony Pictures	UltraViolet Only	17.0%
Warner Brothers	Ultraviolet Only	15.4%	CLICK HERE
20th Century Fox	Ultraviolet Only	10.6%
Paramount	Ultraviolet & iTunes	8.5%
Lionsgate	Ultraviolet & iTunes	~7.5% (near-major)	CLICK HERE
Universal	Ultraviolet & iTunes	13.6%

MINOR STUDIOS	DIGITAL COPY METHOD	Link to Example
Starz/Anchor Bay	Ultraviolet Only	CLICK HERE
Relativity Media	iTunes Only

Done.

As a recap;

1. No major studio is offering iTunes exclusive digital copy redemptions as of June 11th `13
2. 43% of the market has Ultraviolet as their exclusive digital copy method
   (add to this a few minor studios who too are exclusive UV)
3. 72.6% of the market has Ultraviolet as their primary digital copy method
4. 86.9% of the market is controlled by the major studios and all have Ultraviolet digital copy redemptions
   (except for disney studios which is currently back door'ing the UV process via Vudu).

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

...minor studio "Arc Entertainment" added.

MAJOR STUDIOS	DIGITAL COPY METHOD	US/CAN MARKET SHARE (2012)	Link to Example
Disney Studios	DigitalCopy+ (Amazon/iTunes/Vudu)	14.3%	Slip Cover Digital Copy Insert Redemption Page Code Accepted Select a Provider Enter Vudu Login... Movie in Vudu Library
Sony Pictures	UltraViolet Only	17.0%
Warner Brothers	Ultraviolet Only	15.4%	CLICK HERE
20th Century Fox	Ultraviolet Only	10.6%
Paramount	Ultraviolet & iTunes	8.5%
Lionsgate	Ultraviolet & iTunes	~7.5% (near-major)	CLICK HERE
Universal	Ultraviolet & iTunes	13.6%

MINOR STUDIOS	DIGITAL COPY METHOD	Link to Example
Starz/Anchor Bay	Ultraviolet Only	CLICK HERE
Relativity Media	iTunes Only
Arc Entertainment	Vudu Only	CLICK HERE

[dswallow]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

I wouldn't say "disingenuous" as much as I'd say the grid seems "incomplete." There's plenty of room underneath the word "DigitalCopy+" to include that this means "Amazon, iTunes or VUDU," and that would clear up any confusion anyone might have, whether they are a seasoned VUDU UV/D2D forum member or not. Lots of newcomers visit here every day (especially with VUDU's D2D@Home promo going on right now) and DigitalCopy+ is a brand new option.

So yes, I'd say, your grid will be most informative with that info included.

I believe one aspect of DigitalCopy+ is that you can pick any of those 3 services to redeem your digital copy, but once redeemed with one service you cannot redeem it with another. You pick one and only one service of the three.

[Fofer]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

I believe one aspect of DigitalCopy+ is that you can pick any of those 3 services to redeem your digital copy, but once redeemed with one service you cannot redeem it with another. You pick one and only one service of the three.

Yes, hence the operative word "OR."

Perhaps Walter-S_North_Carolina can add that word to the grid: "Amazon or iTunes or Vudu" would be most informative.

Thanks for compiling this, Walter-S_North_Carolina! It's very helpful

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

...Happy to.

MAJOR STUDIOS	DIGITAL COPY METHOD	US/CAN MARKET SHARE (2012)	Link to Example
Disney Studios	DigitalCopy+ Choice of one of the below EST providers; 1) Amazon 2) iTunes 3) Vudu	14.3%	Slip Cover Digital Copy Insert Redemption Page Code Accepted Select a Provider Enter Vudu Login... Movie in Vudu Library
Sony Pictures	UltraViolet Only	17.0%
Warner Brothers	Ultraviolet Only	15.4%	CLICK HERE
20th Century Fox	Ultraviolet Only	10.6%
Paramount	Ultraviolet & iTunes	8.5%
Lionsgate	Ultraviolet & iTunes	~7.5% (near-major)	CLICK HERE
Universal	Ultraviolet & iTunes	13.6%

MINOR STUDIOS	DIGITAL COPY METHOD	Link to Example
Starz/Anchor Bay	Ultraviolet Only	CLICK HERE
Relativity Media	iTunes Only
Arc Entertainment	Vudu Only	CLICK HERE

As a recap;

1. No major studio is offering iTunes exclusive digital copy redemptions as of June 11th `13
2. 43% of the market has Ultraviolet as their exclusive digital copy method
   (add to this a few minor studios who too are exclusive UV)
3. 72.6% of the market has Ultraviolet as their primary digital copy method
4. 86.9% of the market is controlled by the major studios and all have Ultraviolet digital copy redemptions
   (except for disney studios which is currently back door'ing the UV process via Vudu).

[LuzRinggold]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

So what about MGM? Do they not allow any digital copy whatsoever?

And what about Dimension Films? They are a smaller, yet popular, studio.

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

So what about MGM? Do they not allow any digital copy whatsoever?

And what about Dimension Films? They are a smaller, yet popular, studio.

Good question. I built the table from the below Wikipedia article. This thread is about what format studios are offering in the new digital copy market. This is a new way to entice consumers to buy packaged media by offering them access to a complementary digital copy to enjoy in the many different ways this new medium provides.

MGM is no longer producing movies, and as such are not apart of this thread.

The topic concerning MGM is if their historical library of titles will be sold off to a studio (Sony and Disney have both been mentioned), or if they will be able to ever join DECE and release their historical titles to the D2D program. However, neither of those are topics for this thread, so I left them off the table.

"Dimension Films" is apart of The Weinstein Company conglomerate according to the Wikipedia article. I do not have them on the table, but could add them if you wish.

LINK:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_film_studio

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: The Demise of iTunes/Apple in the Digital Copy Market:

...updated table

MAJOR STUDIOS	DIGITAL COPY METHOD	US/CAN MARKET SHARE (2012)	Link to Example
Disney Studios	DigitalCopy+ Choice of one of the below EST providers; 1) Amazon 2) iTunes 3) Vudu	14.3%	Slip Cover Digital Copy Insert Redemption Page Code Accepted Select a Provider Enter Vudu Login... Movie in Vudu Library
Sony Pictures/Columbia	UltraViolet Only	17.0%
Warner Brothers	Ultraviolet Only	15.4%	CLICK HERE
20th Century Fox	Ultraviolet Only	10.6%
Paramount	Ultraviolet & iTunes	8.5%
Lionsgate	Ultraviolet & iTunes	~7.5% (near-major)	CLICK HERE
Universal	Ultraviolet & iTunes	13.6%

MINOR STUDIOS	DIGITAL COPY METHOD	Link to Example
Starz/Anchor Bay	Ultraviolet Only	CLICK HERE
Relativity Media	iTunes Only
Arc Entertainment	Vudu Only	CLICK HERE
The Weinstein Company	Ultraviolet & iTunes	CLICK HERE

As a recap;

1. No major studio is offering iTunes exclusive digital copy redemptions as of June 11th `13
2. 43% of the market has Ultraviolet as their exclusive digital copy method
   (add to this a few minor studios who too are exclusive UV)
3. 72.6% of the market has Ultraviolet as their primary digital copy method
4. 86.9% of the market is controlled by the major studios and all have Ultraviolet digital copy redemptions
   (except for disney studios which is currently back door'ing the UV process via Vudu).