Movie Hits Theaters, TV, DVD on Same Day

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Monty Solomon <monty () roscom com>
Date: January 17, 2006 10:44:32 PM EST
To: undisclosed-recipient:;
Subject: Movie Hits Theaters, TV, DVD on Same Day


      Movie Hits Theaters, TV, DVD on Same Day
      - Jan 17, 2006 04:20 PM (AP Online)

By GARY GENTILE AP Business Writer


LOS ANGELES (AP) -- If you live in New Jersey, Virginia or Nevada and
want to see the new Steven Soderbergh film "Bubble" in a theater,
pack your bags. It won't be showing in those or more than a dozen
other states.


The country's largest theater chains are snubbing the film because
they object to it being sold on DVD and shown on cable TV the same
day it debuts in a handful of theaters owned by the same company that
produced the movie.


"Bubble" isn't the first film to be released this way. But the
combination of a high-profile director and the backing of maverick
billionaires Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban have studios and theater
owners paying close attention this time.


"It's the biggest threat to the viability of the cinema industry
today," John Fithian, president of the National Association of
Theater Owners, said of the so-called "day and date" release strategy.


The move comes as new technology is giving consumers faster access to
music, movies, TV shows and other content via multiple devices,
including laptop computers, portable video screens, even cell phones.
Theater owners have faced challenges from technology before, most
notably television and the VCR. But this is the first time major
studios have contemplated releasing films in competing formats at the
same time.


The low-budget "Bubble," a murder mystery set in a doll factory,
opens Jan. 27 and is the first of six films to be produced under a
partnership between Soderbergh and 2929 Entertainment. Founded by
Wagner and Cuban, the company owns Magnolia Pictures, which will
distribute "Bubble" in partnership with Landmark Theaters and HDNet
Movies, the cable TV channel that will air it.


All six films produced by the partnership will be released
simultaneously on DVD, television and in theaters. "Bubble" will
appear on DVD a few days after its theater and cable release.

...

      - http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=54797888



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