Paramount Wants Movies on Demand Two Weeks After They're In Theaters

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Tired of waiting forever for movies to be released on DVD and streaming? Paramount Pictures has finally heard your complaints. And it has just struck a deal with two major movie theater chains that will allow them to release new films on demand after only two weeks in the theater.

The Wall Street Journal reports that so far Paramount has struck deals with AMC Theatres and Cineplex in Canada which will participate in the experiment. That agreement concerns just two movies out in October: Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension and Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. Those films will become available to consumers on demand after 17 days in the theater.

But word on the street is that long term, Paramount would like to adopt the same schedule for its tentpole films, including its major franchises like Star Trek and Mission Impossible. If Paramount can’t strike a deal with other North American movie chains for its largest blockbusters, that plan would seem to be in jeopardy, keeping them out of those theaters entirely.

The weird part? Paramount plans to give its partner theaters (so far just AMC and Cineplex) a cut of the profits from iTunes downloads and other services for the first three months after release. From the WSJ:

To sweeten the pot, the studio will share a portion of revenue from iTunes downloads, video-on-demand, and other digital channels with exhibitors that play the films, giving them a hedge in case box-office revenue declines.​

At a time when consumers are used to being able to watch practically any media in the world whenever they like (legally or sometimes illegally, of course) this move makes perfect sense. In fact, it seems long overdue and the studio is optimistic that this will work out well for everybody. We’ll just have to wait and see if all the major movie theater chains will get on board.

“Our expectation is that total revenue will rise and the theatrical revenue will be relatively unaffected, if at all,” said Paramount vice chairman Rob Moore told the Wall Street Journal.

And Moore is probably right. There have been other experiments with early video release in the past, but none quite as ambitious as Paramount’s plan. If it’s successful, the way movies are marketed and sold could really change forever. That is if we assume that piracy hasn’t already changed it, and recognize that, in a way, studios like Paramount are merely catching up.

Fun fact: The first movie ever played in its entirety on TV was in theaters at the time. Fewer than ten people in LA had a TV set when The Crooked Circle was beamed out across the airwaves in 1933. There really is nothing new under the sun.

http://gizmodo.com/paramount-wants-movies-on-demand-two-weeks-after-theyre-1716555189

Interesting development, what's everyone's thoughts on this idea?

 

[Black Narcissus]

It won't be long before most big franchise films are available like this in some form or another, but the price will be a bit higher I would assume.

 

[terry78]

It kinda takes away the fun of going to see it with a bunch of people in a theatre, but they kinda do that now with more indie films that are VOD and theatre simultaneous.

 

[Black Narcissus]

It kinda takes away the fun of going to see it with a bunch of people in a theatre, but they kinda do that now with more indie films that are VOD and theatre simultaneous.

Yeah, but I can see it catching on. Like some ppv events.

 

[Man in the Suit]

I used to love going to the theater. But now I can't stand the awful people, kids asking questions at full volume (WHERE'S IRON MAN????") while their question is being answered on screen, and horrible dim projection with the chance of the computer freezing or crashing. I was happy to just click play and watch The Interview on Netflix.

Maybe I'm an old man now.

 

[terry78]

^Yeah, probably. Whenever I go to a superhero flick I pretty much just wait for the inevitable dialogue ridden scenes where the stars aren't in costume and for a little kid to blurt out the "I'm bored" or "where's such and such man?"

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Well with the advancements in home theater stuff I know plenty of folks that would prefer to wait a few weeks and then watch it with the whole family in the living room. The price will most def be premium but I would venture a guess that the average family of four stands to save money by waiting as opposed to what it would cost them for the tix, soda, popcorn etc.

On the one hand theaters sales have been on the decline for quite sometime but the theater going experience is ingrained into most cultures throughout the world. Of course there are the films that blow up and everyone has to go see to jump on the bandwagon and I'd venture to say even if something like this was in place those types of movies wouldn't be effected much. But this would certainly change the game in terms of a movies legs. But as long as the theaters are getting a cut I don't see them having a problem with it. Now if it doesn't benefit them in some way no way in hell will they go for it since it would basically kill their cottage industry in the first place

 

[Wildcard]

I'm not expecting this idea to go over well, & when it fails for Paramount other companis will know not to follow suit. This year alone has proven the movie going experience is far from dead so that decline isn't really going on anymore, since there are actually good movies worth seeing people are going to see them. People want to get out the house, see a movie on a big screen & be taken away from home.

For the large part, Paramount doesn't even make movies people want to see anymore. Why make such a risky move? Because they're idiots, that's why.

 

[terry78]

All you're doing is just forcing lazy people to be even lazier. You actually have to get your ass out the house, and walk to the theatre. Granted, the food you're getting probably negates that, but still.

 

[Wildcard]

^ Exactly...and I think most people have realized when they were bootlegging movies & then begging for sequels they were cheating themselves, hence why there's been better numbers over the years. Well, that and there being a more steadier flow of good movies that they want to see.

Trust me, just like the rest of Paramount's recent endeavors, this will fail. They've been horrible with their business for years now.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

But two weeks is a solid amount of time for films to break out so to speak. I know there is a large population of older or poorer people who would like the chance to see it from hom and not have to wait months before they get to do so. My mom loves the Marvel films but rarely has the money to see them. My dad on the other hand could pay for all the movies in the world if he wanted to but rarely has the time because of all the stuff he does at home and his job as a captain flying for Delta, he would jump at the chance to be able to stay up to date with the current flicks. All I'm saying is there is a large group of people this kind of thing would really appeal to

 

[MadVillainy]

I used to love going to the theater. But now I can't stand the awful people, kids asking questions at full volume (WHERE'S IRON MAN????") while their question is being answered on screen, and horrible dim projection with the chance of the computer freezing or crashing. I was happy to just click play and watch The Interview on Netflix.

Maybe I'm an old man now.

Nah Im in my 20s and I feel the same way.

But you know what I discovered? Sunday mornings (I would go Saturday if I didn't have work). Go to the first screening.
Rarely any kids and most of the time not crowded in general.

RIght after I graduated and before I found a job, I would go during the middle of the week. Now that was freaking empty. Just old people looking to fall asleep.

 

[terry78]

Whenever you see a couple go into a movie that's obviously doing poorly and will have a small amount of audience members, you know why they're seeing it.

 

[MadVillainy]

Whenever you see a couple go into a movie that's obviously doing poorly and will have a small amount of audience members, you know why they're seeing it.

Haha!

I honestly never got that. Why pay a ticket price for what you can do in your car or home?

 

[terry78]

Haha!

I honestly never got that. Why pay a ticket price for what you can do in your car or home?

A lot of them are teenagers that can't do it anywhere else. No cars, no privacy at home, etc. I knew dudes that blatantly did this.

 

[MadVillainy]

Ok that I get. But Im talking grown 20 yrl old+ people.

I guess it's a "thrill" for them. It's in public but not so public that you are more likely to get caught

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

A lot of them are teenagers that can't do it anywhere else. No cars, no privacy at home, etc. I knew dudes that blatantly did this.

Hell I've done it plenty of times when I was young. What's even funnier is if some other random theater goers come into the theater right before the movie starts and you're all REALLY? Haha that happened one time to me, I was like no way and hell do you want to see Bride of Chucky at this point in it's release schedule

 

[dude stannis]

Paramount is a lazy sausage factory. Maybe they should try actually making good movies that can actually last more than two weeks in theatres?

 

[Marvolo]

I dont mind this. No matter how good a film is I rarely go more than once to see it in theaters and I rarely go see a movie after its been out for 3+ weeks because something else that I want to see has come out by that point so this would benefit me.

 

[jmc]

This was inevitable. It will be almost like purchasing video games where you'll pay a premium to get it first day but will cost you a lot less 6 months down the line. Whilst I think some films are meant to be witnessed in the theatre the vast majority of blockbusters films aren't of the level of craftsmanship that make it worth the time and effort. Mad Max is the only film so far this year I feel has to be watched in cinema, Interstellar last year too, everything else in the last 12 months, even something like Avengers AoU, doesn't require the cinema experience. Can't say if it's good or bad, but it was inevitable this would happen.

 

[Soapy]

Fine by me.

Maybe I just live around exceptionally obnoxious people, but the theater going experience has become intolerable for people who actually want to pay attention to and enjoy the movie.

 

[Goshdarn Batman]

Whenever you see a couple go into a movie that's obviously doing poorly and will have a small amount of audience members, you know why they're seeing it.

Hey, reminds me of the time I saw Daredevil. Just me and a couple behind me. I guess I ruined their day.

Guy: "%#* kid! And the movie too!"

 

[DA_Champion]

This was inevitable. It will be almost like purchasing video games where you'll pay a premium to get it first day but will cost you a lot less 6 months down the line. Whilst I think some films are meant to be witnessed in the theatre the vast majority of blockbusters films aren't of the level of craftsmanship that make it worth the time and effort. Mad Max is the only film so far this year I feel has to be watched in cinema, Interstellar last year too, everything else in the last 12 months, even something like Avengers AoU, doesn't require the cinema experience. Can't say if it's good or bad, but it was inevitable this would happen.

However, I'm pretty sure movie tickets bring in a lot more revenue than DVD sales / blu ray. It will be hard to replace that revenue.

 

[terry78]

^Basically. Most of their money comes from people buying random **** at the concessions. Tickets are just there as a gateway drug.

 

[MadVillainy]

^Basically. Most of their money comes from people buying random **** at the concessions. Tickets are just there as a gateway drug.

Yeah but if your local theaters are like mine. You can sneak in a snack so easily.
Hell if youre a female it's really easy just put it in your purse.

It's a bad situation. People don't buy snacks at the theaters. Theaters need money so they jack up the concession prices, but then less people buy the concessions from before