Dish Network in Talks to Offer Premium Video Rental Service
By Alex Sherman - May 12, 2011 11:00 PM CT
Dish Network Corp. (DISH), the second- largest U.S. satellite-television provider, is considering a video-on-demand service to offer Hollywood movies about eight weeks after they’re released, said an executive.
The service would likely have terms “similar” to those of DirecTV, including a price tag of about $30, Tom Cullen, a Dish executive vice president, said in an interview. DirecTV, the largest satellite-TV operator, announced the debut of its Home Premiere service last month, giving customers the option to purchase certain movies for $29.99 eight weeks after theatrical release.
Dish, based in Englewood, Colorado, is in negotiations with Hollywood studios and no final decision has been made on whether to introduce the service, said Cullen, who oversees programming, sales and marketing.
Studios are searching for ways to boost at-home revenue as DVD sales shrink. Comcast Corp. (CMCSA)’s Universal Pictures, Time Warner Inc. (TWX)’s Warner Bros., Sony Corp. and News Corp. (NWSA)’s Twentieth Century Fox have agreed to offer movies to DirecTV’s Home Premiere, including “Hall Pass,” starring Owen Wilson, and “The Adjustment Bureau,” starring Matt Damon.
Several theaters, including AMC Entertainment Inc. and Cinemark Holdings Inc., have criticized studios for shrinking the on-demand window from the traditional 12 to 16 weeks to eight weeks. The theater chains have threatened not to play or promote movies that are pegged for early home release, fearing customers may skip the theater to watch on demand.
Comcast said last month it was in discussions to offer on- demand movies six to eight weeks after entering theaters. Both Comcast and DirecTV said pricing may be adjusted as the program evolves.
To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Sherman in New York at asherman6@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Peter Elstrom at pelstrom@bloomberg.net
No kidding. I find it hard to believe that people pay $6.99! But apparently they do.I too find it hard to believe that many will pay that.
I understand that the Premium service on DIRECTV is doing better then they expected.
Honestly $30 isn't bad when you compare going to the movies with a family of 4.
But is that the valid comparison? i guess it is to some.
I say why not? I won't ever use it, but if others will, let it be available to them. If the demand is not there, it WILL go away.
I understand that the Premium service on DIRECTV is doing better then they expected.
Honestly $30 isn't bad when you compare going to the movies with a family of 4.
Dish Network in Talks to Offer Premium Video Rentals 8 Weeks After Release
By Alex Sherman - May 13, 2011 3:36 PM CT
Dish Network Corp. (DISH), the second- largest U.S. satellite-television provider, is considering a video-on-demand service to offer Hollywood movies about eight weeks after they’re released, an executive said.
The service would likely have terms “similar” to those of DirecTV, including a price tag of about $30, Dish Executive Vice President Tom Cullen said in an interview. DirecTV, the largest satellite-TV operator, announced the debut of its Home Premiere service last month, giving customers the option to purchase certain movies for $29.99 eight weeks after theatrical release.
Dish, based in Englewood, Colorado, is negotiating with Hollywood studios, and no final decision has been made on whether to introduce the service, said Cullen, who oversees programming, sales and marketing.
Studios are searching for ways to boost at-home revenue as DVD sales shrink. Comcast Corp. (CMCSA)’s Universal Pictures, Time Warner Inc. (TWX)’s Warner Bros., Sony Corp. (6758) and News Corp. (NWSA)’s Twentieth Century Fox have agreed to offer movies on DirecTV’s Home Premiere, including “Hall Pass,” starring Owen Wilson, and “The Adjustment Bureau,” starring Matt Damon.
Several theater owners, including AMC Entertainment Inc. and Cinemark Holdings Inc. (CNK), have criticized studios for shrinking the on-demand “window” from the traditional 12 to 16 weeks to eight weeks. The theater chains have threatened not to play or promote movies that are pegged for early home release, fearing customers may skip the theater to watch on demand.
Comcast said last month it was in discussions to offer on- demand movies six to eight weeks after entering theaters. Both Comcast and DirecTV (DTV) said pricing may be adjusted as the program evolves.
Dish fell 39 cents to $28.81 at 4 p.m. New York time in Nasdaq Stock Market trading. The shares have risen 47 percent this year.
To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Sherman in New York at asherman6@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Peter Elstrom at pelstrom@bloomberg.net
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