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Purchase New Movies on iTunes Same Day as DVD Release

Apple today announced that new movie releases from major film studios and premier independent studios are available for purchase on the iTunes Store on the same day as their DVD release. New releases and catalog titles will be available from 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios. Movies purchased from iTunes can be viewed on an iPod with video, iPhone, Mac or PC or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV, with new releases priced at $14.99 and most catalog titles at $9.99.

This is good news, obviously, given the previous 30 day lead time. But I think for digital movies to gain any real traction they need to be less expensive: $9.99 for a new movie and $5.99 (or whatever) for catalog titles. (I'd consider $14.99 for HD movies, which you cannot purchase from iTunes.) Remember that compared to DVD movies, digital movies contain none of the extra features, plus their digital delivery means less costs to the studio. I'm sure we'll get there.

I'd also add pervasive closed captioning to my digital movie wish list, of course.

Published May 01 2008, 02:25 PM by pthurrott

Filed under: iPhone, iTunes, iPod, Digital media, Content, Apple TV

Comments

Dipsh t Admin said:

I agree, that they need to be cheaper, but this is a good first move. I simply don't buy many DVD's as it is, but with an AppleTV like device, that could change. And while I didn't necessarily agree with other when they said that Blu-ray is dead, but with HD content delivery over fat pipes, with cheap storage, and a digital locker type of service, this could take off in a major way.

I don't give many kudos to Apple, so enjoy it while it lasts! ;)

May 1, 2008 3:31 PM

subzerohitman721 said:

This is a great breakthrough for Apple, however until I get all the DVD options, its a dealbreaker for me. However, I do concede that Apple iTunes Store is the best on the market. However, I really wish Apple and Paramount would hurry up with more Star Trek seasons and episodes. I've even written both companies about this. If you can't get a 40 year old franchise like Star Trek out in a timely mannor, what other hitches will the store bring?

May 2, 2008 3:33 PM

About pthurrott

Paul Thurrott is the guy behind the SuperSite for Windows. Way behind. :)

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