Netflix signs deal with Disney to deliver movies to while they’re still in theatre

[Deb]

Score this as an enormous win for Netflix (NFLX). The content distribution company on Tuesday announced that it had signed a multiyear deal with Disney (DIS) to deliver major Disney theatrical releases to users’ living rooms while they’re still in theaters. In a joint press release, the companies said that starting with Disney’s “2016 theatrically released feature films, new Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios and Disneynature titles will be made available for Netflix members to watch instantly in the pay TV window on multiple platforms, including television, tablets, computers and mobile phones.”

http://news.yahoo.com/netflix-signs-...190352998.html

[SOS4Prez]

2016! Oh, so exciting!

[SoonerChuck]

Might as well board up the movie theaters across America if other movie studios follow.

[LMD]

Originally Posted by SoonerChuck

Might as well board up the movie theaters across America if other movie studios follow.

Yeah. What the fuck?

I'm about as anti-social overall as the next guy (Obviously, SOS doesn't count. ), and I like chilling on my own. But even I like to get out of the house and meet up with some broskis in public areas and do shit sometimes. We're moving to a society where there's no point to leave the house. Video games are getting harder to play in the same house with someone, stores and restaurants are closing due to delivery and now we're getting rid of movie theaters?

Come on society. Let's wake up before we wind up like Surrogates, with no real emotional connection to anyone or anything.

[SOS4Prez]

I don't think you guys have much to worry about. I didn't read the entire article, but "while they’re still in theaters" is a pretty vague statement. I doubt they'll be available immediately. Hell, I doubt they'll be available within the first month or two that the film is playing in theaters. Working at a second run movie theater for years opened my eyes to just how long some movies theater-runs are. Just think, a typical movie that is met with average box office success usually has a solid two-three month mainstream theater run, yet doesn't get released on DVD until three months after it disappears from mainstream, big-chain theaters. Where does it go? Second-run cinemas. Places that, for example, might JUST be getting something that was originally released in October.

I know it's not Disney, but take Ice Age 4. Would any of you guess that it was still playing in theaters? Well, it is. It's release date was July 13th and it STILL is making profit at box offices. It made 51.8K last week and played in 102 theaters nationwide. Obviously, that's insignificant both in weekly gross and distribution... But it still counts as being in theaters, right? Technically, it's theater run has been nearly 5 months. Sure, you could argue most films don't last that long because they're not as big money-makers, but let's remember this is Disney/Pixar we're talking about. I remember going to the movies a few weeks back and thinking to myself "holy shit, Brave is still playing here?" That was released June 22nd, I was seeing it listed around mid-November. 5 month theater-run. And looky-looky, check this out:

http://westboylstoncinema.com/nowplaying.asp

Notice what's still playing in a theater? Brave. By the time it's gotten rid of, it'll be close to a 6 month run. Still possibly playing in second-run theaters in the U.S. even though it's been available on DVD since November 13th. In rare cases like that, "being available on Netflix during its theater run" could actually mean "being available on Netflix while it's out on DVD."

Again, without reading the article, my guess is that they'll wait 3-4 months then put the movie up on Netflix when people aren't even aware it's still in theaters. That way, it's placed closer to the DVD release date and more people are likely to buy it. Or maybe even the rare cases where it's still playing in some obscure theaters, but already on DVD. It's a good way to make it as available to as many people as possible. Easier to sell it.

[DupuisLesRapide]

No way any sort of deal like this would be made if the studio thought it would kill their theater ticket sales. Theaters aren't going anywhere.

[SoonerChuck]

You are probably right SOS & Speedy. They will let the movie run a bit before they offer it through NEtflix.

[Jerry]

I'll still goto the theater for the experience alone. Watching a movie at home could never compare to seeing it in an actual theater.

I do think it will hurt the theater in terms of parents bringing small children to the theater, but as a regular moviegoer, I'm waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cool with that.

The worst thing in the world is seeing a mom with four kids in front of me in the concession line buy a bucket of popcorn and then while she is still at the counter whip out four ziplock bags separate the popcorn into each of them, hand them to the kids, ask the clerk for a refill, and then pay for everything. I've got preflix and trailers to watch, get out of line!