Cinema Disrupted: Opening Night Movies at Home
In a long tail environment, how could movie studios benefit from movie edits and remixes. This is not a new question in any way shape or form, but it seems to become more relevant year in and year out.
Cinema Disrupted: Opening Night Movies at Home
TV smart guy Shelly Palmer says it's about time to put an end to the hassles of going to the movies, just to see a film on the day it is released. Palmer, author of Television Disrupted, lists the catalog of cinema woes:
- Commercials
- Previews
- Expensive concessions
- Noisy people
So when I will be able to watch a movie at home on opening day? How would I prefer to watch it (pay-per-view at a set time, on-demand or download-to-own)? And, what technology will be involved (set-top box, my computer, a combination)?
My friends at Comcast tell me "day & date" release, as it is known in the trade, is coming soon. There are no technical problems at all, just business rule issues. Comcast can distribute movies via standard definition pay per view today, they just need permission to do so.
Palmer points out that business issues between studios and cable cos are the biggest obstacle to giving consumers what they want. Of course, when you think you have a monopoly on an event or a type of media content, it's very hard to give it away or even rent it. Think about how this could change with the launch of Apple TV.
Hint: Don't ask the record companies for advice on this one. (Apple, which has no historic base in the music business, has 82% share of the download music market. Likewise, Apple has no historic base in TV or movies.)
