Blockbusters might debut on your TV
The three-month wait between movies showing in theatres before being able to watch them at home may soon get shorter.
Movie studios are talking about either shrinking the waiting period or getting rid of it all together.
The two studios leading the talks, Warner Bros and Universal, are keen for the change to happen early next year.
Both studios are owned by telecommunication companies which would benefit from an increase in video streaming in homes.
Technology has changed how we watch movies, with bigger, better televisions and ultrafast broadband allowing an enhanced movie experience at home.
But the biggest change is the rise of streaming services, including the impending release of Disney’s version.
Disney has traditionally backed the current arrangement as it benefits greatly from blockbusters such as the Marvel and Star Wars movies.
However, Disney may now change tack as its streaming service could make as much, or more, money by showing movies there and not having to pay cinema chains a cut of the profits.
It already has several smaller movies in the works that it plans to show first on its streaming service.
The line between cinema releases and home streaming is already blurry.
Movies with major stars, such as Will Smith’s Bright, are already skipping theatres and debuting on Netflix, something that would never have happened just a few years ago.
However, it’ll take a lot to put that deal together and past talks, including those held last year, have fallen over.
Cinema chains have invested a lot in the past few years to improve the movie-going experience, with more comfortable seating and better food.
Also, movies are still making lots of money, especially blockbusters, and no one in the industry would be willing to give that up.
What could happen is a staggering of release dates and pricing. For example, a blockbuster would start in theatres and would be available to stream a few weeks later at an inflated price. It would only get cheaper after a few months.
So is this the end of cinema experience?
No, not yet. If the window does shorten, it’ll just be another change in the movie industry driven by technology that has included video recorders and piracy.
Movies with major stars such as Will Smith’s Bright are already skipping theatres and debuting on Netflix, something that would never have happened just a few years ago.