Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical Media
07-24-15 | 10:25 PM
#126
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
Sure the catalog market is drying up, but with Blu-ray most sales are new release anyway and those will always sell.
That said, the studios are really pushing Digital HD (EST) and releasing movies 2-4 weeks ahead of disc. That will siphon off sales from disc since the old saying 'the early bird gets the worm' is true even in home video. Avengers: Age of Ultron is getting a nearly 4 week early release on Digital HD. The disc version won't be out until Oct. 2nd, 5 months after theatrical. That's a long time to wait and Digital is going to score a lot of sales, and mostly at the expense of Blu-ray.
That said, the studios are really pushing Digital HD (EST) and releasing movies 2-4 weeks ahead of disc. That will siphon off sales from disc since the old saying 'the early bird gets the worm' is true even in home video. Avengers: Age of Ultron is getting a nearly 4 week early release on Digital HD. The disc version won't be out until Oct. 2nd, 5 months after theatrical. That's a long time to wait and Digital is going to score a lot of sales, and mostly at the expense of Blu-ray.
07-25-15 | 12:44 AM
#127
Senior Member
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
A slowdown in sales has always been inevitable. When CDs became affordable (ie. $15.99) in late eighties, everyone replaced their record albums and bought everything in sight.
By the late nineties, everyone that wanted The Eagles Greatest Hits, already had it. Even before Napster came long, CD sales leveled off or decreased.
The same goes for DVDs and Blu-ray. Once those catalogue titles have been released, the sales are going to level off or decrease.
Again, the business community does not allow for anything to level-off, it must keep growing to make share-holders happy.
Where the technology sits now, where can it really go? 8K? 16K? 32K? Who cares? Unless they re-invent the definition of "home entertainment" the current quality is good enough to a point where it has plateaued.
By the late nineties, everyone that wanted The Eagles Greatest Hits, already had it. Even before Napster came long, CD sales leveled off or decreased.
The same goes for DVDs and Blu-ray. Once those catalogue titles have been released, the sales are going to level off or decrease.
Again, the business community does not allow for anything to level-off, it must keep growing to make share-holders happy.
Where the technology sits now, where can it really go? 8K? 16K? 32K? Who cares? Unless they re-invent the definition of "home entertainment" the current quality is good enough to a point where it has plateaued.
Like "Gladiator" (Russell Crowe) with loads of hot chicks in the nude (doesn't matter if they can act).
Not totally my idea. HBO's Rome was a huge hit. And I'm sure there was a reason they included a lot of nudity. It's good for ratings. And it SELLS.
I'm really sick of all this PG crap they crank out.
07-25-15 | 01:31 AM
#128
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
I have an idea. You merge big budget blockbuster movies with porno movies.
Like "Gladiator" (Russell Crowe) with loads of hot chicks in the nude (doesn't matter if they can act).
Not totally my idea. HBO's Rome was a huge hit. And I'm sure there was a reason they included a lot of nudity. It's good for ratings. And it SELLS.
I'm really sick of all this PG crap they crank out.
Like "Gladiator" (Russell Crowe) with loads of hot chicks in the nude (doesn't matter if they can act).
Not totally my idea. HBO's Rome was a huge hit. And I'm sure there was a reason they included a lot of nudity. It's good for ratings. And it SELLS.
I'm really sick of all this PG crap they crank out.
07-25-15 | 10:08 AM
#129
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
Sure the catalog market is drying up, but with Blu-ray most sales are new release anyway and those will always sell.
That said, the studios are really pushing Digital HD (EST) and releasing movies 2-4 weeks ahead of disc. That will siphon off sales from disc since the old saying 'the early bird gets the worm' is true even in home video. Avengers: Age of Ultron is getting a nearly 4 week early release on Digital HD. The disc version won't be out until Oct. 2nd, 5 months after theatrical. That's a long time to wait and Digital is going to score a lot of sales, and mostly at the expense of Blu-ray.
That said, the studios are really pushing Digital HD (EST) and releasing movies 2-4 weeks ahead of disc. That will siphon off sales from disc since the old saying 'the early bird gets the worm' is true even in home video. Avengers: Age of Ultron is getting a nearly 4 week early release on Digital HD. The disc version won't be out until Oct. 2nd, 5 months after theatrical. That's a long time to wait and Digital is going to score a lot of sales, and mostly at the expense of Blu-ray.
07-25-15 | 10:33 AM
#130
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
So you don't think there will people disc buyers who will be tempted to buy the digital version 4 weeks early?
07-25-15 | 10:45 AM
#131
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
Whether it makes any difference or not, Ultron would be a big "test case" which will provide a lot of data for Disney to chew on.
07-25-15 | 11:00 AM
#132
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
If they just want to see the movie.
You either want the disc or you don't. If you do, you'll buy it.
If you don't care about owning the disc and just want to see the movie, availability equal, you'll stream it.
07-25-15 | 11:34 AM
#133
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
Yes, I believe that happens. What I'm saying is that if the digital version and disc version become available same day, those who would buy the earlier digital version will still choose the digital version.
If they just want to see the movie.
You either want the disc or you don't. If you do, you'll buy it.
If you don't care about owning the disc and just want to see the movie, availability equal, you'll stream it.
If they just want to see the movie.
You either want the disc or you don't. If you do, you'll buy it.
If you don't care about owning the disc and just want to see the movie, availability equal, you'll stream it.
Also with the case of the Avengers, there will be quite a few who will buy both. Digital for now and the disc for later. You see lots of people buying multiple SKU of movies like this just for collecting's sake, no it's nothing new.
07-25-15 | 11:42 AM
#134
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
It certainly does make a difference. The only test is to see how much bigger a difference it will make. Blu-ray is declining at a faster rate than DVD precisely because it does make a difference. Digital HD is eating into BD sales more than DVD. The early availability is a temptation and the Blu-ray crowd is more tech saavy and affluent and more likely to succumb to it.
07-25-15 | 12:01 PM
#135
DVD Talk Gold Edition
07-25-15 | 02:26 PM
#136
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
I understand that. What I don't get is if someone buys the digital if it comes out sooner, why not buy the digital if both become available the same day also?
07-25-15 | 03:21 PM
#137
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
It certainly does make a difference. The only test is to see how much bigger a difference it will make. Blu-ray is declining at a faster rate than DVD precisely because it does make a difference. Digital HD is eating into BD sales more than DVD. The early availability is a temptation and the Blu-ray crowd is more tech saavy and affluent and more likely to succumb to it.
Hollywood is certainly accelerating BD's decline with these gigantic differences in release date. Giving the digital copy weeks of exclusivity is a guaranteed way to cut into the Blu-ray's sale figures.
07-25-15 | 04:27 PM
#138
DVD Talk Limited Edition
07-25-15 | 04:42 PM
#139
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
The purpose of early availability is not to cater to people who already purchase digital, but to entice those who don't.
07-25-15 | 04:45 PM
#140
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
I can't think of the movie now but I was just sent publicity info for a movie coming out from WB in September on DVD/Blu-ray. I was shocked to see that the digital HD version will be available five weeks earlier than the DVD version.
Hollywood is certainly accelerating BD's decline with these gigantic differences in release date. Giving the digital copy weeks of exclusivity is a guaranteed way to cut into the Blu-ray's sale figures.
Hollywood is certainly accelerating BD's decline with these gigantic differences in release date. Giving the digital copy weeks of exclusivity is a guaranteed way to cut into the Blu-ray's sale figures.
I though Blu-ray would do really well because of the strong releases the 2nd half of the year, but it may go out the window now.
07-25-15 | 05:17 PM
#141
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
I understand that. What I don't get is if someone buys the digital if it comes out sooner, why not buy the digital if both become available the same day also?
07-25-15 | 10:25 PM
#142
Senior Member
Re: Article: Blu-Ray Producers Say Studios Should Shift Expectations About Physical M
The early release for digital will amount to nothing.
1) Most people don't care.
2) Most people interested in purchasing would rather have it on disc.
3) Hollywood doesn't produce enough "must have" movies to create an impact (with or without an early release).
4) Most people will spend $1.50 to $2.00 to rent new releases (redbox). $5.99 VOD rentals and $19.99 digital purchases is little threat to redbox.
This assumption that the masses will spend $19.99 because they can't wait 4 to 5 weeks to pick it up at redbox for $1.50/$2.00 is laughable.
1) Most people don't care.
2) Most people interested in purchasing would rather have it on disc.
3) Hollywood doesn't produce enough "must have" movies to create an impact (with or without an early release).
4) Most people will spend $1.50 to $2.00 to rent new releases (redbox). $5.99 VOD rentals and $19.99 digital purchases is little threat to redbox.
This assumption that the masses will spend $19.99 because they can't wait 4 to 5 weeks to pick it up at redbox for $1.50/$2.00 is laughable.
Last edited by dvdshonna; 07-25-15 at 11:02 PM.
