The deal involves the following studios: 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios.
In a press release, Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes said:
"We’re thrilled to bring iTunes Store customers new films for purchase day-and-date with the DVD release. We think movie fans will love being able to buy their favorites from major and independent studios."
New releases are $14.99 and most catalog titles are $9.99.
Tremors were felt around the retail world as Wal-Mart, Netflix, and Amazon.com are all unhappy right about now. This is also a further move to something some have predicted for some time: simultaneous releases in theatres, DVD and video streaming / downloads. Don't get me wrong though, something like that isn't going to happen soon, but someday ... after all, the movie theatre experience has soured for many.
For now, of course, this means iTunes users can start checking out the weekly new DVD release sites every week to see what they can get. This week: Apple asks you to check out "American Gangster" and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," among others.
Source: Tech Ex
Posted May 1st, 2008 by Armen Hareyan
