Networks Push Digital TV Downloads Before DVD
A noticeable change is occuring within the the tv and video industry as studios such as Lionsgate sell shows online prior to their release on DVD format. Lionsgate are selling full episodes/seasons of popular tv shows such as Weeds and Mad Men on iTunes and Amazon Video several months before they are available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Many TV networks release new episodes through online services the day after airing but seldom release complete packages ahead of time.
Lionsgate Shows Online First
Both seasons aired on TV this summer, Weeds on Showtime and Mad Men on AMC, and episodes were available for download the following day. Users also could sign up for season passes of the show, essentially buying a digital season at the time the TV show aired, common for TV shows offered through iTunes and digital competitors.
A Lionsgate spokeswoman said the strategy is nothing new and all network series follow the same release pattern. The Wall Street Journal highlighted it as an example in a story Monday on Hollywood’s move to the digital side.
Whilst its not unusual for seasons of TV shows to be available digitally months before their disc release but these developments represent a sudden shift away from DVD, which has been a staple of the video industry for roughly a decade. In November which is traditionally a high selling time for DVD sales they dropped around 8% but to counter, Blu-ray, and digital downloads gained.
Analysts believe their alternate focuses on image quality and convenience have become greater factors in video purchasing habits, particularly for the latter. As more movies are made available online and broadband connections are fast enough to download full length shows and movies, viewers are expected to actually shy away from physical copies in favor of digital. The sudden rush of Internet-connected Blu-ray players, televisiona and networked media devices like the Apple TV and Xbox 360 have opened up the audience for internet streams straight to tv.
Related News:
- Younger generation are using internet tv instead of a digital recorder
- Apple movies on ipod and iphone. Amazing 99c downloads promotion
- Internet TV networks fighting it out. Who is top dog?
- The most complete list of Catch up TV UK Networks ever!
- Internet TV Dominated by the Big Networks
[...] the big fall in DVD sales this year and a battered economy, not to mention Internet tv taking priority over dvd sales, how is a movie company to try and make people buy those millions of dvd and blu-ray discs clogging [...]