Blu-ray/DVD rights connected?

[DukeTogo84]

I have a question.

Lets say someone get the rights to release a film on DVD. They release it. Can another company get the rights to the blu-ray release and release that?

The reason I ask is that there are a few DVD's that have been released by companies who have no intention of releasing it on blu-ray, so wondering if another company could pick those rights up or are the rights connected?

[TripleHBK]

If the contract was specifically negotiated to separate DVD from Blu Ray, then yes there isn't any reason that that couldn't happen. As I understand things however that is not how agreements are drawn up. Most agreements regarding distribution of a movie/tv show are separated by digital distribution, streaming, and then physical releases. DVD's and Blu Rays are therefore lumped in together under the physical release agreement leaving the licensing party free to release one or both as they so choose.

[steve_dave]

Examples:

Mill Creek distributes Panic Room on DVD, Sony or whatever other company Sony decides will distribute the Blu-ray. The digital version is distributed by Sony.

Bad Moms Christmas is distributed by Universal for STX Film on DVD and Blu-ray but digital is STX themselves.

Casino Royale ‘06 bounced on DVD and Blu-ray starting with Sony and is now with MGM/Fox while digital stays at MGM.

MGM is the actually most fragmented “major” studio with A Fish Called Wanda DVD and Collector’s Edition Blu-ray being MGM while Arrow distributes a more definitive collector’s edition on Blu-ray. The Bill and Ted films are DVD and trailer only Blu-ray through MGM and a collector’s edition set & movie only double feature through Shout. There more of these.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I have a question.

Lets say someone get the rights to release a film on DVD. They release it. Can another company get the rights to the blu-ray release and release that?

The reason I ask is that there are a few DVD's that have been released by companies who have no intention of releasing it on blu-ray, so wondering if another company could pick those rights up or are the rights connected?

They are separate. For example, Twilight Time released Thunderbolt & Lightfoot on blu-ray while Kino Lorber released it on DVD.