Walt Disney has become the latest major Hollywood studio to enter the online film sales market, launching with the thrilling horror film “Flightplan“.
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“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” – Disney’s blockbuster film this summer. Source: Disney.com |
Disney has chosen CinemaNow as its primary digital film distribution service, which is home to blockbuster titles from studios such as Sony, MGM, and LionsGate Entertainment.
According to CinemaNow, Disney films will be available for download to computers and mobile devices on the same day they are released on DVD.
However, consumers will only be able to purchase the films outright and will not have the option to “rent” a link for 24 hours as offered by some other services.
Previously, in April, five of Disney’s competitors formed an alliance to sell films through Movielink, the strongest competitor to CinemaNow.
“Disney has chosen us as the first online film sales channel for the studio. We consider this an extremely important vote of confidence“, stated the president of CinemaNow.
Starting June 6, alongside the DVD release of the baseball player biopic “Glory Road,” Disney will begin offering both new releases and a catalog of older films through CinemaNow.
A Vast Market
CinemaNow reports that film prices will be equivalent to DVD prices, approximately $20 for a new release and $10 for older films. Downloaded films can be shared across three devices, including laptops and handheld electronics, which is a significant feature as Disney films are often designed for family viewing.
Analysts suggest that a huge market for downloadable films exists among parents. They often download movies to their laptops, then play them in the car for their kids while driving.
However, buyers will not be able to burn the downloaded films to DVD, a feature that consumers desire but which studios continue to deny due to concerns over piracy.
Until late last year, major Hollywood studios had refused to sell films online due to worries that their products would be pirated and sold on the black market, which could adversely affect box office sales and subsequent DVD releases.
However, on April 3, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Paramount Pictures all began offering films through Movielink. That same day, CinemaNow announced it would provide films from Sony, LionsGate Entertainment, and MGM.
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