The issue of downloadable movies has been a hot one around The Movie Blog for a while. In general, we all like the idea of a downloadable movie option… but the sticking point has always been the price. The number always seems to be around $20 US for a movie. Considering what you’re getting for that $20, it seems like an insane rip off.
Well… the good folks over at Cinematical are reporting that the iTunes movie downloadable service could be live by the end of the year… and that new movies will come in just under $15 per new flick:
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer let out the news that the studio would soon be selling movie downloads through Movielink, CinemaNow and iTunes. Not only that, but when asked when the movies would be available on iTunes (keep in mind Apple hasn’t announced a service for feature films yet, since they were only said to be in negotiations with studios), Feltheimer said before the end of 2006.
BusinessWeek is also reporting that the pricing for these iTunes movie downloads will be $14.99 for new releases and $9.99 for older titles.
I’m not surprised at all that Apple will come in uder the other services… $14.99 is better than $20… but I still think it’s a bit too steep for what you get for your money. It’s a step in the right direction though, and perhaps more fodder to ignite a movie download price war between the companies. We can only hope.
I see this working, for the simple reason that people are idiots! Who the hell pays more than $1 for a new music single, or $5 for a movie (to download)? Lots of people, apparently.
I’d like to see movie downloads inexpensively priced, but with ever increasing salaries, more and more people that “have” to make millions in one year, and the general population paying ridiculous amounts for dvd films anyways, I don’t think I’ll be a happy camper when all this comes to fruitition.
i down load all my movies and TV series free with torrents(file sharing)noobs
I believe disney is also on there. Because Steve Jobs is the largest stock holder there. And I would be willing to pay. I wouldnt get them everyday, but still. I bought a program at circuit city awhile back though, called Podmaxx. It does dvd’s to your computer in ipod form though. It just doesnt work everytime, it doesnt always get the whole movie. So I’ll prob get some of these.
I agree. It’s a step in the right direction and yes, $14.99 is better than $20 but not by much. It’s going to have to drop another 5 or 6 bucks to get me interested.
It still seems a bit steep. I mean, I want to impulse download Gleaming The Cube as much as the next guy, but I don’t want to lose £15 because I have poor self control.
no way id pay 15$, 5 or 6 bucks at the most. is this gonna be higher quality than the tv shows they offer now?
Is it *just* Lionsgate? It would be sad if it was, not for Lionsgate, but for the rest of us.
Still, LGF isn’t that bad of a possible lineup. One thing of note is that the studio carries many indie horror films, some bad, but some really well done and overlooked, such as “Tamara” and “The Dark Hours”. (of course we’ll get “Saw”, “Punisher”…etc I can see “Ultimate Avengers” too…animation would be the big draw)But…why 15 dollars for new films? It sould be kept at 5 across the board. I’d go much as to say nothing over 4 dollars.
What? Am I insane?
Look at it this way; if you got a DVD player, much less a DVD player in your computer, and you have, 15 dollars, go to your video rental store and rent it for 3.50. Or 1.50 if it’s two for tuesday/coupon day. If it is a piece of dung, you are only out 1.50 to 3.50 and you don’t have to keep it.
If it is a film you know and love, check the DVD content. Does it have any extras that you care about? Downloads won’t get you that. Can you play the films outside of your computer?
One studio I would like to see join in? Someone like ADV or Magna. If Anime were available, it would *outsell* most everything else. Freakin’ serious.
I agree, anything over $5 is overcharging.