Apple looking to bring movies home two weeks after release

[terry78]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...s-with-film-studios-for-earlier-movie-rentals


That price point is a little iffy.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

I would strongly consider it. Certainly at the low end of that price range. If you've got a family, it would still be far cheaper than going to the theater with none of the annoyance of dealing with other patrons.

 

[Boom]

Oh please oh please oh please.

I would totally wait another two weeks and shell out the extra cash if it meant avoiding annoying-ass people at the theater.

 

[terry78]

The only issue I'd take with that is there often those geek franchises where someone spoils it the exact day of release somehow. Even avoiding social media spoilers get back to me, so I'd only use this for more low key films.

 

[Boom]

Not sure if this would help offset piracy a little bit or if it'd make it worse.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

This would totally make piracy worse

Knowing I could watch a movie two weeks later for free and in flawless quality? Not saying I would do that... But hey, if they insist

 

[dark_b]

it would 100% make piracy worse. common sense.

 

[terry78]

Knowing Apple they'd find some way to make money off the piracy.

 

[Kane52630]

Well it's only a matter of time before movies and shows become more and more convenient. It's gonna happen one way or another.

 

[terry78]

Regarding Apple, I wonder why they never got into the game console business. I guess they can survive on the iPhone, but I always wondered.

 

[redfirebird2008]

Just for perspective: Force Awakens made 70% of its domestic money in the first two weeks, Finding Dory made 68% of its domestic money in the first two weeks, and Cap: Civil War made 77% of its domestic money in the first two weeks. Movies continue to become more and more frontloaded over time.

This early rental thing could be a nice profit boost for the studios when you look at the frontloading trend at the box office. Theaters would be the big loser for sure.

 

[Teelie]

Lower the price dramatically and it would reduce the piracy more than trying to get people to rent a movie for $25-50 each. That is per movie. To rent. And watch once or under some kind of limited time avaliablity.

This is why piracy will only be worse if they try to gouge people with that.

 

[Loden Greatstorm]

I really don't like this idea.

 

[Kyle]

I don't see this happening. It makes piracy way too easy. I don't see any major studio wanting to take a risk with this. I've read that many pirates who pirate, whenever anything winds up on VOD it's soon available online with the same HD quality.

 

[Darepool]

Part of the cinematic experience is the shared experience with an audience. If it's something I want to see, I'm choosing cinema.

 

[kguillou]

I'm intrigued, this would be interesting if this meant you could watch the movie as many timea as you like within your "rent" time frame, and be able to pause, rewind and fast forward.

 

[Spider-Fan83]

the "rental" part at that price is what kinda throws me off... for that price I'd want more then a typical 24 hour... but, I guess if it is like a live steaming kinda thing, that you can watch as much as you want...but really the only time I rent or buy DVD's/Blu Ray's, is for the bonus footage/deleted scene, so if that stuff isn't included

 

[MadVillainy]

idk. After every theater visit I appreciate this idea more and more.
Every time I go to the theater I come out at least slightly annoyed by 1 or more audience members.

And even not that ticket prices are just too high. I took someone to see Secret Life of Pets. Not a bad movie, but I ended up paying $24 for 2 tickets. The Blu Ray is only $20 and I can watch it as many times as I want and pause, rewind, etc. For a lot of movies why pay more for what you can see once when you can have unlimited views for the same price or cheaper

But more importantly as someone said earlier if you have a family, then this is golden. If I had 2 kids who wanted to go see Moana and we go at night around where I live it's probably close to $40. $40 for maybe 2 hours of entertainment? And that's without snacks. Even if we go early in the morning its still 30 something bucks. Why go through the hassle of loading the kids in the car, driving to the theater, maybe getting snacks to keep them quiet, and spending a bundle when I can do it at home for the same price?
Or even if I want to see a movie with the wife/husband and we have kids. Put the kids to sleep and then watch the movie downstairs and not worry about paying for a sitter or something

I'll keep seeing movies in theaters as long as they make them. But Im starting to think something like what Apple is trying to do has merit. I kinda wish it wasn't going through Apple though

 

[Prison Mike]

I would never pay $25 - $50 for a movie. I'll take free crappy cam quality over $50 HD any day of the week.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

I would never pay $25 - $50 for a movie. I'll take free crappy cam quality over $50 HD any day of the week.

Point is that at least one person will pay for it and upload it on the internet for all to watch for free

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Is this the beginning of the end for theater?

 

[Darepool]

Seems like the writing is on the wall.

 

[Incarnadine]

Just for perspective: Force Awakens made 70% of its domestic money in the first two weeks, Finding Dory made 68% of its domestic money in the first two weeks, and Cap: Civil War made 77% of its domestic money in the first two weeks. Movies continue to become more and more frontloaded over time.

This early rental thing could be a nice profit boost for the studios when you look at the frontloading trend at the box office. Theaters would be the big loser for sure.

The problem is (in addition to the piracy issue) is that the huge amount those very expensive movies bring in during the first two weeks would likely be vastly reduced.
Right now people know they won't be available on demand, CD, Blue Ray for about 3 months, but shrink that to two weeks and a fair amount will wait it out causing a significant drop from the theater revenue, probably significantly more than they make from on demand sales (and that's assuming most people will actually pay for it).

 

[Silvermoth]

It makes sense. I mean, imagine if you lived in a remote community. You might not be able to get to a picture theatre but you could easily download it. All those communities add up and eventually provide more revenue