Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes, saying that $US0.99 TV rentals could “jeopardise” the entire medium, is now the third content giant to give Apple’s rental model a big media middle finger. And he’s not alone.
Bloomberg reports that Sony, Warner Bros, and Walt Disney are all in talks to offer a home streaming option for movies “soon after” their theatre runs. Except they want to charge $US30 for the privilege.
Warner Bros executive Barry Meyer admits the obvious: Their content won’t show up on Apple TVs because the price wasn’t right. WB scoffs at the new cheaper rental plan – not the first time they’ve thrown their weight around online. [AllThingsD]
Warner Bros has an interesting program that they’ve recently expanded a bit – mail in an old DVD movie along with $US5 to swap it for the newer, Blu-ray version. After mulling it over, I think I like the idea.
Last January, Netflix agreed to delay the rental of new release Warner Bros films by 28 days in exchange for more streaming properties. Now, Fox and Universal have signed similar agreements. What do we get out of the deal? Buffy!
Are you an unloved member of digital society? Have you been shunned by your (peer to) peers? Then Warner Bros has just the job for you, Judas.
