Warner continues day-and-date DVD/VOD releases

Says strategy is not hurting disc sales

By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 5/26/2009

MAY 26 | PHYSICAL: The June movie slate is packed with films debuting on video-on-demand the same day they hit DVD, at least if they’re from Warner Home Video.

The studio is continuing its strategy of releasing nearly all of its films simultaneously on DVD and VOD with ensemble anti-date flick He’s Just Not That Into You on June 2, Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino June 9, Friday the 13th June 16 and fantasy/adventure Inkheart June 23.

Warner has said the simultaneous release strategy boosts VOD sales without hurting disc sales.

Doug Sylvester, president and chief operating officer of TVN Entertainment, which packages VOD movies for cable companies and others, said in a statement about June’s day-and-date releases that consumers are responding “in a big way.”

Screen Media also will go day-and-date on DVD and VOD June 9 with Spinning Into Butter, a drama starring Sarah Jessica Parker as a college dean who must deal with a campus hate crime.

Other studios are keeping the window between DVD and VOD open, however, how much varies greatly.

Lionsgate will debut Renee Zellweger comedy New In Town on VOD June 9, two weeks after it streets on DVD. Sony is putting out Underworld: Rise of the Lycans and The International a month after they street on DVD. The International debuts on DVD June 9; Underworld bowed earlier this month. Paramount Home Entertainment’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Anchor Bay Entertainment’s Last Chance Harvey both reach VOD June 3, a month after their disc releases.

Meanwhile, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, which put out some films day-and-date around the Oscars, held back Paul Rudd comedy Role Models from VOD until June 1, a month and a half after its March 10 DVD release.