The Delayed DVD Rental Period Has Arrived

by pastapadre
Posted January 6th, 2010 at 12:51 pm

Not long ago I wrote about a proposal that was being considered where DVDs would release “for sale only” for a period of time before they would become available for rental. The first step in this becoming the norm arrived today and is expected to represent just the start of things to come.

Netflix has announced an agreement with Warner Brothers that will have them holding back their releases for 28 days before making them available to subscribers. In exchange WB will be providing increased content for Netflix’s streaming service. More deals with studios are likely to be announced soon.

One glimmer of hope is with Redbox who has been forced into buying most of the DVDs from retail stores because the studios don’t like their methods. Whether they continue to do their own thing or try to make deals of their own is something to monitor.

I still say this doesn’t make me more likely to buy a DVD I wouldn’t have otherwise. It just means now I’ll be waiting longer until I can rent them.

Tags: netflix, redbox

http://intensedebate.com/people/cdj cdj

I hadn't heard of this before. Pretty silly move by studios IMO.
http://intensedebate.com/people/cdj cdj

I hadn't heard of this before. Pretty silly move by studios IMO.
CrimsonVoodoo

Really an inane idea from the studios who, 30 years ago, thought renting movies should be illegal. My damn Netflix list is so damn long as it is I'll probably die of old age before I ever get to them all. This has zero impact on me, and I'd guess most movie watchers
CrimsonVoodoo

Really an inane idea from the studios who, 30 years ago, thought renting movies should be illegal. My damn Netflix list is so damn long as it is I'll probably die of old age before I ever get to them all. This has zero impact on me, and I'd guess most movie watchers
http://intensedebate.com/people/fredsmooth21 Fred

That's pretty lame. Do you guys think it's really going to increase sales of DVDs?
http://intensedebate.com/people/fredsmooth21 Fred

That's pretty lame. Do you guys think it's really going to increase sales of DVDs?
Alan

no This is a dumb idea all around to me
Alan

no This is a dumb idea all around to me
http://intensedebate.com/people/mathewballard mathewballard

Well this sucks. I don't always rent a movie right when it comes out, but the fact that I won't even be able to do so is not cool in my eyes. I hope the additional streaming content with WB means that these movies will at least be available for streaming as well.
http://intensedebate.com/people/mathewballard mathewballard

Well this sucks. I don't always rent a movie right when it comes out, but the fact that I won't even be able to do so is not cool in my eyes. I hope the additional streaming content with WB means that these movies will at least be available for streaming as well.
xX L Boogie Xx

I dont like it but i understand it. Movie companies are loosing money to people pirating movies left and right. Will this slow it down. Probably not. but now if these folks who pirate movies want a good copy of a movie with trailers and menus they will have to purchase a copy instead of just renting on release day.
xX L Boogie Xx

I dont like it but i understand it. Movie companies are loosing money to people pirating movies left and right. Will this slow it down. Probably not. but now if these folks who pirate movies want a good copy of a movie with trailers and menus they will have to purchase a copy instead of just renting on release day.