This Is It coming to DVD, Blu-ray in Q1

PHYSICAL: Michael Jackson documentary was rumored for release before Christmas

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/30/2009

OCT. 30 | PHYSICAL: Michael Jackson documentary This Is It is expected to moonwalk onto DVD and Blu-ray Disc in the first quarter, even though many retailers have been pushing Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to debut the film closer to the 2009 holiday shopping season.

The studio has not yet confirmed a street date, but sources say Sony was wavering between a fourth quarter and early next year release, trying to satisfy the competing needs of video stores and theatrical exhibitors.

This is It, which grossed a respectable $20.1 million in its first day at the worldwide box office, is positioned to be a major film for exhibitors on the big screen. However, retailers generally want to roll out all their blockbuster titles nearer to the holidays, capitalizing on heavy store traffic.

Ultimately, Sony decided to give exhibitors a chance to present This Is It for a longer stretch theatrically. Had This Is It landed in stores by December, the theatrical-to-DVD window would have been an unusually short couple of months.