Universal pulls the plug on Tower Heist premium video on demand experiment
"Universal Pictures today announced that in response to a request from theater owners, it has decided to delay its planned premium home video on demand (PVOD) experiment in which Comcast digital subscribers in Portland and Atlanta would have had the opportunity to rent Tower Heist on demand just three weeks after its theatrical release on November 4, 2011. Universal continues to believe that the theater experience and a PVOD window are business models that can coincide and thrive and we look forward to working with our partners in exhibition to find a way to experiment in this area in the future."
The National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) also released a statement in response to Universal's decision.
"NATO would like to thank Universal for responding to various theater owners' concerns and cancelling the PVOD test it was contemplating. They have been engaged with individual exhibitors on this test, and while it was something that many theater owners could not ultimately support, the open and collaborative nature of the dialogue is appreciated. NATO recognizes that studios need to find new models and opportunities in the home market, and looks forward to distributors and exhibitors working together for their mutual benefit."
Tower Heist was released November 4th, 2011 and stars Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Stephen Henderson, Judd Hirsch, Téa Leoni. The film is directed by Brett Ratner.
Comments (16)
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Nicholaus XX
@thrashnasty190@bawnian-dexeus@Brizzy@fanboy -- You all get my imaginary thumbs up for summing up what I wanted to say.
2 years agoby @XxNickTheFilmCriticXxFlag
Brizzy
Well done.
2 years agoby @BrizzyFlag
fanboy
Great victory!
2 years agoby @fanboyFlag
moviegeek
@Stansfield I don't think so. This will be a big hit.
2 years agoby @moviegeekFlag
ChiRep_1
Okay so lets put this in context, for the price of a movie ticket to see Drive, 50/50, Ides of March, Real Steel, Money Ball and idk Footloose I could watch one likely mediocre film from my couch? Yeah no sh*t this would bust.
2 years agoby @ChiRep-1Flag
felipe-11
I stopped reading after "$59".
2 years agoby @felipe-11Flag
incmob
dumb move by universal. smart move by universal. But i doubt they totally believe that the two entities can coexist in some form in the future, unless the price drops for VOD. I admit the film has to be special for me to see it, i dont typically see every movie in the theatre, but i can wait 3-6 months to watch on dvd from redbox, for a dollar, instead of the 3 week window to watch it for a staggering 59.99... not rocket science as to how dumb this idea really was, and still is.
2 years agoby @incmobFlag
Stansfield
it's going to bomb either way.
2 years agoby @StansfieldFlag
Jimthar
and it's still cheaper just to go see it in the damn theater.
2 years agoby @jimtharFlag
Jimthar
59.99 to buy it on tv 3 weeks after release or 20 bucks to buy it on bluray after it's dvd release. pretty f*cking easy choice if you ask me.
2 years agoby @jimtharFlag
slysnide
Damn, no wonder NATO can't get anything accomplished these days. With these pitiful concerns :P
2 years agoby @slysnideFlag
Ghostman
@bawnian-dexeus I strongly agree :D
2 years agoby @ghostmanFlag
MovieManiac
Good. The VOD thing was a stupid f*cking idea anyways.
2 years agoby @moviemaniac66Flag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
The people have spoken
2 years agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
thrashnasty190
Good call.
2 years agoby @thrashnasty190Flag
skywise
Still not sure where i stand on the VOD debate but i admire them for taking a stand. At least they know where they stand.
2 years agoby @skywiseFlag