The title pretty much sums it up, and this isn’t a new topic here at ZNF. The movie studios’ antiquated release window cycle doesn’t fly in the digital age. Which is costing them and their partners. Their attempts (including Netflix’s malleability) to coerce folks into purchasing content, starting with physical media, by delaying movie rentals and digital release do nothing but confuse or alienate the consumers who are paying attention. Granted, we’re probably a minority at this point. But I’d like to think I represent the leading edge. And, not only don’t I deal in physical media, I don’t purchase content. What’s gotten me agitated this time:
After coming across a decent amount of positive blogosphere and Twitterverse buzz for the SciFi flick Moon towards the end of last week, we decided to take it in Saturday evening. For spontaneous viewing, we generally look to Amazon VOD – downloaded via TiVo or streamed via Roku. Unfortunately, Moon is only available for digital purchase until next month. For reasons known only to the studios and their partners. As I rarely see a flick twice and it’s impossible to share digital purchases the way you’d share optical media, I abstain 100% of the time. And I imagine some in my situation, with my mindset might look to more illicit means of obtaining their entertainment. However, I took this as an opportunity to patronize a Redbox kiosk for the first time.
So instead of gladly paying $4-$6 for a high def digital rental (that Amazon, the studio, and perhaps TiVo/Roku would split), I made two trips to the McDonald’s for a free standard def DVD rental. Which is less than ideal. No one got paid, and I was inconvenienced for lower quality content. All it’d take is a little less greed out of the studios for happier consumers and continued revenue… Hope it’s one of their New Year’s resolutions.
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