20Mar2009
Twilight, On Demand
There's some big buzz around the movie Twilight - I'm sure you've heard. When there's this much talk around a movie, I'm usually the first in line to buy my movie ticket. This time I wasn't able to catch the movie in theaters, however, it will be available On Demand at 12:01 am on Saturday 3/21, the same time it releases on DVD.
I am excited to see the increasing trend of having movies available On Demand the same time as it releases on DVD. I actually read an article about it online.
You know where I'll be at 12:01 am on Saturday night...
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Comments (4)
Hi Pat, we have agreements with the various studios that tell us when, and for how long, movies can be available On Demand. This means that eventually a movie (like Twilight) won't be available On Demand. However, it also means that that same movie could be available again at some point in the future. That being said, I can't say when Twilight will be On Demand again.
TWILIGHT CANNOT BE ACCESSED ON DEMAND....DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY? WHY CAN U ACCESS JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER MOVIE YOU CAN THINK OF BUT NOT TWILIGHT?
Oooo..... I like the idea of pre-packaged On-Demand Packages. If you figure your "average" On-Demand movie costs $3.99 - $4.99, why not have a package where someone can pay like $40 /mo and get 12+ movies over the course of the month.
Something like that could actually help increase the adoption of On-Demand viewing among homes that may not currently use it much as it would give people the feeling like they could explore the movie options without risking paying extra. People also have the tendency to consume more (and spend more than they may have otherwise) if they feel they are getting a discount or value vs. "normal" pricing.
From a business standpoint, it could also be something new to compete directly against Netflix/Blockbuster options as it would allow someone to easily budget their monthly movie viewing at home expenses. Also, While Netflix does currently have instant viewing/streaming options, unless someone has a device like a TiVO or "fancy" media-center PC setup, you can't easily display those movies on your TV/Home Theater setup. An On-Demand subscription like package could easily have a small competitive advantage as it would allow someone to instantly view (without mail-turn around times for DVDs) a movie of their choosing on their TV without the larger up-front costs associated with a TiVO or PC media Center setup.
I think same day as DVD is GREAT! Kudos for that, and I hope Comcast can get more titles available same day as DVD release.
One thing to think of (and I suggested this before with a warm response), increase the viewing window for on demand movies. Right now it's currently 24 hours, but why not extend it to 48 hours? Perhaps you pick a movie on Friday night, but halfway through there's some unforseen emergency (family/friends/get called to work/etc..). Now after the emergency, who's to say within 24 hours your going to have time to continue watching the movie? Well if you rented it from Blockbuster or Netflix NO PROBLEM! But if you get it On Demand, now you'll have to pay the $3.99 plus tax again.
I know many people who do the whole Netflix or Blockbuster thing, and one of the greatest pro's is that they keep the movie as long as they like. I think Comcast should investigate what it would take for a simular system.
If not the 48 hour window release, what about packages for X dollars a month you can purchase X number of movies a month (and watch those movies as many times as you like). I think there's some business opportunity here, as well as good sales points to grab more potential viewers. Think about it.