Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
04-09-10, 10:36 AM
#1
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Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100409/...x_moviestudios
And the big train to drive people to torrents begins.
Fri Apr 9, 5:35 am ET
(Reuters) – U.S. DVD rental company Netflix Inc has reached deals with movie studios Twentieth Century Fox and Universal Studios that will allow it to rent DVDs and Blu-ray discs 28 days after new releases go on sale in stores.
The deal with News Corp's Twentieth Century Fox also involves a first-time streaming license for Fox TV shows, the two companies said in a joint statement.
Netflix and Universal said that under their deal, Netflix would get significantly more units and better in-stock levels from Universal after the four-week period and get access to more of the studio's movies for customers to stream.
With the 28-day delay, Netflix will be able to rent James Cameron's worldwide blockbuster "Avatar" to its customers from May 20, after its April 22 DVD/Blu-ray release date.
The first release covered under the new agreement with Universal is the comedy "It's Complicated," which will be released in stores on April 27.
Earlier this year Netflix Inc and Coinstar Inc's Redbox each agreed to a 28-day delay on Warner Bros.' new releases.
Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings said in October studios were wrestling with declining DVD sales as the rental market has been modestly growing and that some studios are considering introducing a DVD retail sales-only window for a few weeks.
(Reuters) – U.S. DVD rental company Netflix Inc has reached deals with movie studios Twentieth Century Fox and Universal Studios that will allow it to rent DVDs and Blu-ray discs 28 days after new releases go on sale in stores.
The deal with News Corp's Twentieth Century Fox also involves a first-time streaming license for Fox TV shows, the two companies said in a joint statement.
Netflix and Universal said that under their deal, Netflix would get significantly more units and better in-stock levels from Universal after the four-week period and get access to more of the studio's movies for customers to stream.
With the 28-day delay, Netflix will be able to rent James Cameron's worldwide blockbuster "Avatar" to its customers from May 20, after its April 22 DVD/Blu-ray release date.
The first release covered under the new agreement with Universal is the comedy "It's Complicated," which will be released in stores on April 27.
Earlier this year Netflix Inc and Coinstar Inc's Redbox each agreed to a 28-day delay on Warner Bros.' new releases.
Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings said in October studios were wrestling with declining DVD sales as the rental market has been modestly growing and that some studios are considering introducing a DVD retail sales-only window for a few weeks.
04-09-10, 10:57 AM
#4
Senior Member
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
You know... I just can't get upset about this. I can understand why people would and are, but for me, it just doesn't seem like a big deal. It's rare I use Netflix for any new releases, especially in the last 6 months or so, when I've been using Netflix primarily to stream content to my set. Any new release that I really want to see chances are I am buying it and likely I saw it in the theatre, too. Otherwise, I can wait a couple more weeks to see it, or rent it at a traditional rental store.
There are so so many movies to see and my tastes seem to lean more towards older films, foreign films, genre titles, obscure titles and less towards "The Blind Side," "It's Complicated," (just using the examples listed) etc. Avatar I saw in the theatres and if I feel like seeing it again I'll just buy the blu.
I guess, if I waited this long to see the movie, I can wait a few more weeks. It's not like I'll ever run out of stuff to watch.
There are so so many movies to see and my tastes seem to lean more towards older films, foreign films, genre titles, obscure titles and less towards "The Blind Side," "It's Complicated," (just using the examples listed) etc. Avatar I saw in the theatres and if I feel like seeing it again I'll just buy the blu.
I guess, if I waited this long to see the movie, I can wait a few more weeks. It's not like I'll ever run out of stuff to watch.
04-09-10, 11:16 AM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
04-09-10, 11:31 AM
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
I love how the wording in that press release makes it sound like the studios are doing NetFlix a favor by allowing them to rent out the movies a month after they're up for sale. As if being able to rent a movie a month after it's out is somehow better than being able to rent it day-and-date with when it's up for sale.
04-09-10, 11:33 AM
#7
DVD Talk God
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
I'd consider it! 
seriously, this is fucking bullshit. i enjoy watching new releases when they come out because i have a small child and can't make it to the theaters anymore.
i only wish Netflix had the balls to stand up to the movie companies. i understand why they don't, as it would kill their bottom line, but still.
seriously, this is fucking bullshit. i enjoy watching new releases when they come out because i have a small child and can't make it to the theaters anymore.
i only wish Netflix had the balls to stand up to the movie companies. i understand why they don't, as it would kill their bottom line, but still.
04-09-10, 11:52 AM
#8
DVD Talk Legend
04-09-10, 11:55 AM
#9
DVD Talk God
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
But considering I'm paying for a service like Netflix where I'm not owning the movie anyway, I'm leaning towards considering this a grey area.
04-09-10, 11:57 AM
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04-09-10, 12:00 PM
#11
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04-09-10, 12:04 PM
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04-09-10, 12:08 PM
#13
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Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
04-09-10, 12:09 PM
#14
Banned by request
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
Given that, as you can see from this very thread, most people don't consider torrenting to be theft on the same level as stealing a physical disc, then yes, a month's delay could very well lead to people downloading a rip of the Blu-ray or DVD.
It's stuff like this that makes me laugh at the studios. They bitch and moan about "rampant" piracy, then they do stuff to discourage people from getting their movies in a legal fashion that will bring in profit. The fact is, if someone is on the fence on a movie, having to wait a month isn't going to convince them they should buy instead of rent. It may convince them to torrent the film, but I doubt it will convince them to buy it.
It's stuff like this that makes me laugh at the studios. They bitch and moan about "rampant" piracy, then they do stuff to discourage people from getting their movies in a legal fashion that will bring in profit. The fact is, if someone is on the fence on a movie, having to wait a month isn't going to convince them they should buy instead of rent. It may convince them to torrent the film, but I doubt it will convince them to buy it.
04-09-10, 12:16 PM
#15
DVD Talk God
04-09-10, 12:19 PM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
Personally, if I'm not buying a new release there's nothing I couldn't wait another 4 wks for. But I do wonder why the studios are taking Blockbuster's side... Wouldn't it be easier for the studios to manage the rental market with less companies around? (Leaving just netflix and the various $1 vendors)
04-09-10, 12:21 PM
#17
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Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
Given that, as you can see from this very thread, most people don't consider torrenting to be theft on the same level as stealing a physical disc, then yes, a month's delay could very well lead to people downloading a rip of the Blu-ray or DVD.
It's stuff like this that makes me laugh at the studios. They bitch and moan about "rampant" piracy, then they do stuff to discourage people from getting their movies in a legal fashion that will bring in profit. The fact is, if someone is on the fence on a movie, having to wait a month isn't going to convince them they should buy instead of rent. It may convince them to torrent the film, but I doubt it will convince them to buy it.
It's stuff like this that makes me laugh at the studios. They bitch and moan about "rampant" piracy, then they do stuff to discourage people from getting their movies in a legal fashion that will bring in profit. The fact is, if someone is on the fence on a movie, having to wait a month isn't going to convince them they should buy instead of rent. It may convince them to torrent the film, but I doubt it will convince them to buy it.
Hard to type do much on an iPhone. Guess this explains the influx of Fox shows a few days ago. Love the timing with Avatar. Greed rears it's heads.
04-09-10, 12:56 PM
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Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
I still don't understand this. Doesn't this kind of make Blockbuster a monopoly which to me is a greater law-breaking sin? What happeneded to good old fashioned competition?
04-09-10, 01:01 PM
#19
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
I can understand people being upset if they ONLY use Netflix for new release movies, but this doesn't affect me. (and honestly if one is a member of Netflix and ONLY gets new releases, that model is not a good match for you)
I have over 300 in my queue and the majority are catalog titles. If I really, really want to see a film, I see it in a theater. If not, I'm patient enough to wait a bit longer on Netflix.
I have over 300 in my queue and the majority are catalog titles. If I really, really want to see a film, I see it in a theater. If not, I'm patient enough to wait a bit longer on Netflix.
04-09-10, 01:23 PM
#20
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
One more reason to love the library. Just last weekend we got The Blind Side & Sherlock Holmes from there. It's free and no delay in release dates.
04-09-10, 01:24 PM
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
So far the WB strategy only made me buy one movie instead of waiting - The Blind Side. I just sold it off after I bought it and watched it. Maybe lost $5. So Netflix got no money, and WB probably made one less sale with one more copy being in the secondary market instead of a collection.
04-09-10, 01:52 PM
#23
DVD Talk God
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
It's not a horrible deal at all unless you are absolutely obsessed with renting new releases. I already noticed that FOX has put out alot more catalogue and TV titles into Netflix's streaming section and alot of them I'm interested in seeing.
With TV (cable and broadcast), Hulu, our backlog of unwatched DVD's and BR's, and seeing movies in the theatres, we have hundreds of hours of entertainment available right now. It's not like I'm ever going to be bored on any given day. I can wait an extra 4 weeks to watch these titles.
With TV (cable and broadcast), Hulu, our backlog of unwatched DVD's and BR's, and seeing movies in the theatres, we have hundreds of hours of entertainment available right now. It's not like I'm ever going to be bored on any given day. I can wait an extra 4 weeks to watch these titles.
Last edited by DJariya; 04-09-10 at 02:06 PM.
04-09-10, 02:01 PM
#24
DVD Talk God
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
I don't know what library you go to, but the ones in my area don't carry squat. I would hardly consider the library as a 1st alternative to renting movies, unless I don't have a job.
04-09-10, 02:05 PM
#25
Political Exile
Re: Netflix - Fox and Universal join WB to delay rentals 28 days
I like renting new releases. A deal like this would definitely cause me to drop my Netflix plan to 1-out (to get access to the unlimited streaming), and go with Blockbuster for my blu-ray disc rentals.