Disney's 28-Day Ban on New-Release Rentals - Blu-ray Forum

Ernest Rister · 06-09-2012, 01:29 AM

Is it just me, or does this feel very retro? For those who don't know, Disney is withholding rental copies of their new films for 28 days, to help spur sales of their new-release titles. It reminds me of tactics used in the VHS markets back in the late 80's and the 90's -- I thought we'd moved past this ancient business model, that it was recognized by now that when people have more access to information (such as renting a movie versus taking the blind-buy risk), they are more comfortable making purchase decisions later -- that a thriving rental market and pay-tv market and cable market helps drive sales of physical media.

Thoughts?

kemcha · 06-09-2012, 01:48 AM

Disney has always been over-protective over their movie releases. I think they're even more restrictive than Apple is over their products. I used to work for Target and I can tell you that Disney has an unfortunate and bad reputation of penalizing retailers if they sold any of Disney's street-date releases prior to that street date.

But, Disney has one of the best quality controls not to mention the fact that they always seen to put out a superior product.

I don't see a problem with this move because more and more studios are adopting this kind of model to safeguard their primary sales. If everyone is acquiring their films through Netflix, it harms their retail sales for new release product. Studios invest a lot of money into marketing new releases so there is a lot of money at stake.

HonestJohn · 06-09-2012, 02:01 AM

Warner would be worse, they recently told rental companies to bend-over for 56 days instead of 28. Universal also imposes a 28 day delay. Some companies have told Warner to stick it and are obtaining their movies through alternate sources.

sxerunner · 06-09-2012, 03:02 AM

I'd understand if it was a 28-day ban for Netflix and Redbox, but including video rental stores? That might come back to bite them in the ass. I know many people who prefer to rent a movie before buying it and to me this seems like a step backwards.

PuppyJonathan · 06-09-2012, 03:22 AM

I guess we saw it coming with other studios and VOD services, at least they don't have the 8 week ban! did that ever go through?

Jbug · 06-09-2012, 03:48 AM

I've been with Netflix since 2000. When Blu Ray won the format war I used Netflix to check out BD movie that I missed in a theater. If I liked the movie I always purchase a copy. Now I'm doing something the studio would be giddy about as I'm now blind buying movies. So far so good but if I wind up not liking one, I just sell it on Amazon for at a loss comparable to renting the movie.

I do miss getting BD earlier but since I have so many other things to keep me busy, I can afford to wait to see stuff but again, the movies I'm really curious about I'll blind buy to the delight of movie studios.

Monterey Jack · 06-09-2012, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sxerunner

I'd understand if it was a 28-day ban for Netflix and Redbox, but including video rental stores?

People still rent movies from video stores? I haven't set foot in a video store since roughly 2005.

sxerunner · 06-09-2012, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

People still rent movies from video stores? I haven't set foot in a video store since roughly 2005.

Believe me, I try to avoid them, but when you need a film immediately and Redbox doesn't carry it...

OneWayFilms · 06-09-2012, 03:57 AM

I sure do miss the neighborhood video store that got movie rentals movies on the same day it was released.

It's so hard to find an older movie these days just to watch without owning.

kemcha · 06-09-2012, 10:47 PM

The problem is that most people don't realize is that studios have control over the merchandise and products. With rental outlets like Netflix, they can't simply buy DVDs and Blu-rays from a store and rent them out without some kind of agreement from the studio, which normally incurs a fee.

Matter of fact, there are FBI "copyright" warnings that state that your purchase of that film on whatever format does not grant you a license to rent that film out. While we may not like that, rental entities like Netflix, Blockbuster and so on cannot simply purchase that movie just to rent it out because then it would be considered a copyright violation issue, much as Netflix and Redbox would like you to believe otherwise.

It's why they filed suit against some studios in the first place.

Studios are simply trying to protect the sales of the home video format. While some might not like that, I happen to agree with it. I think consumers who purchase the movie on DVD or Blu-ray should have exclusivity for their purchase for a limited time.

I happen to remember when rental outlets had an exclusive right to movie releases, as much as a week prior to its retail release. Now that studios are going the other way, rental outlets are complaining. It really doesn't surprise me, at any rate.

Personally, I don't rent, if there's a movie that I want, I find it cost effective to simply purchase the movie for my personal viewing pleasure.

TNAJason · 06-09-2012, 11:01 PM

I don't rent very much anyway,so this doesn't bother me,and I prefer something like this than the Rumored Digital-Download-ONLY(NO Physical Media) future some media reporters are predicting in the next 5-10 years.

rdodolak · 06-09-2012, 11:02 PM

^ My understanding is studios have control over digital content but when it comes to physical content rental outlets are able to purchase content from retailers and rent those copies, legally, based on the first-sale doctrine.

wormraper · 06-09-2012, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdodolak

^ My understanding is studios have control over digital content but when it comes to physical content rental outlets are able to purchase content from retailers and rent those copies, legally, based on the first-sale doctrine.

they are, Kemcha is wrong. why do you think that Blockbuster got away with it. they've been buying combo packs and selling off the blu rays for $10 each to get rental versions

. smart thing too. Redbox does it. and so does Family Video and Hastings. good for them too. the studios have gotten way to paranoid this last decade and need a nice kick in the teeth with reality

KilloWertz · 06-09-2012, 11:22 PM

Warner, Fox, and Universal have been doing this for a while now. At least some regular rental stores just buy copies from Target, Best Buy, etc. instead now.

This whole holding back movies for a month or more isn't ideal, but in a way, I'm kind of used to it now. If it's something I really want to see, I would have bought it anyways.

Omen2002 · 06-09-2012, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

People still rent movies from video stores? I haven't set foot in a video store since roughly 2005.

You missed some cheap blu's at closing BBV's.

Holding rentals doesn't really affect me since all the stores close by have closed. The closest BBV and rental store period, is about 45mins away. I've never used Redbox. But, I think the whole holding them back for 28 or whatever amount of days is a little counterproductive.

octagon · 06-09-2012, 11:36 PM

I doubt rentals help drive sales all that much.

Are there people who rent something and immediately run out and buy it? Sure.

But there are also people who rent stuff and think 'whew, glad I didn't buy that' or (and I think this is the significant group) 'yeah, that was pretty good, I'll grab it when it drops below ten bucks'.

And really, when you consider how short the windows between theatrical runs and home video releases have become an additional 28 days before you can watch a movie for around a dollar doesn't really seem all that burdensome.

HonestJohn · 06-09-2012, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PuppyJonathan

I guess we saw it coming with other studios and VOD services, at least they don't have the 8 week ban! did that ever go through?

Warner = 56 Days per my other post.

rdodolak · 06-10-2012, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestJohn

Warner = 56 Days per my other post.

At this rate, by next year, they'll double the rental delay again to 112 days.

Jennifer Lawrence Fan · 06-10-2012, 12:08 AM

The video store I go to gets stuff in no matter the day as far as I know.

They even have a little sign infront of those movies that netflix or redbox doesn't have. It says not available at netflix or redbox to rent for 28 days.

And most if not all of those titles have the special features.

KilloWertz · 06-10-2012, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Bay Fan

The video store I go to gets stuff in no matter the day as far as I know.

They even have a little sign infront of those movies that netflix or redbox doesn't have. It says not available at netflix or redbox to rent for 28 days.

And most if not all of those titles have the special features.

It's because they have one or more people buy them at a retail store instead of waiting to get them from the studio/distributor.

06-09-2012, 01:29 AM	#1
Ernest Rister Blu-ray Prince Member since:Jan 2008 4K collection:100 Blu-ray collection:590 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Disney's 28-Day Ban on New-Release Rentals Is it just me, or does this feel very retro? For those who don't know, Disney is withholding rental copies of their new films for 28 days, to help spur sales of their new-release titles. It reminds me of tactics used in the VHS markets back in the late 80's and the 90's -- I thought we'd moved past this ancient business model, that it was recognized by now that when people have more access to information (such as renting a movie versus taking the blind-buy risk), they are more comfortable making purchase decisions later -- that a thriving rental market and pay-tv market and cable market helps drive sales of physical media. Thoughts?

06-09-2012, 03:48 AM	#6
Jbug Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2010 Location:Chicago, IL Trading Score:29	I've been with Netflix since 2000. When Blu Ray won the format war I used Netflix to check out BD movie that I missed in a theater. If I liked the movie I always purchase a copy. Now I'm doing something the studio would be giddy about as I'm now blind buying movies. So far so good but if I wind up not liking one, I just sell it on Amazon for at a loss comparable to renting the movie. I do miss getting BD earlier but since I have so many other things to keep me busy, I can afford to wait to see stuff but again, the movies I'm really curious about I'll blind buy to the delight of movie studios. Last edited by Jbug; 06-09-2012 at 03:50 AM.

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06-09-2012, 01:48 AM	#2
kemcha Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Michigan, USA 4K collection:18 Blu-ray collection:344 Blu-ray reviews:18 Trading Score:32	Disney has always been over-protective over their movie releases. I think they're even more restrictive than Apple is over their products. I used to work for Target and I can tell you that Disney has an unfortunate and bad reputation of penalizing retailers if they sold any of Disney's street-date releases prior to that street date. But, Disney has one of the best quality controls not to mention the fact that they always seen to put out a superior product. I don't see a problem with this move because more and more studios are adopting this kind of model to safeguard their primary sales. If everyone is acquiring their films through Netflix, it harms their retail sales for new release product. Studios invest a lot of money into marketing new releases so there is a lot of money at stake.

06-09-2012, 02:01 AM	#3
HonestJohn Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2011 Location:The Final Frontier ... 4K collection:419 Blu-ray collection:547 DVD collection:2 Trading Score:2	Warner would be worse, they recently told rental companies to bend-over for 56 days instead of 28. Universal also imposes a 28 day delay. Some companies have told Warner to stick it and are obtaining their movies through alternate sources.

06-09-2012, 03:02 AM	#4
sxerunner Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2007 4K collection:46 Blu-ray collection:1245 DVD collection:51 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:11	I'd understand if it was a 28-day ban for Netflix and Redbox, but including video rental stores? That might come back to bite them in the ass. I know many people who prefer to rent a movie before buying it and to me this seems like a step backwards.

06-09-2012, 03:22 AM	#5
PuppyJonathan Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Apr 2012 Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:67 DVD collection:75	I guess we saw it coming with other studios and VOD services, at least they don't have the 8 week ban! did that ever go through?

06-09-2012, 03:57 AM	#9
OneWayFilms Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Mar 2010 Location:Mississippi 4K collection:16 Blu-ray collection:971 DVD collection:759 Digital collection:457 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:5	I sure do miss the neighborhood video store that got movie rentals movies on the same day it was released. It's so hard to find an older movie these days just to watch without owning.

06-09-2012, 10:47 PM	#10
kemcha Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Michigan, USA 4K collection:18 Blu-ray collection:344 Blu-ray reviews:18 Trading Score:32	The problem is that most people don't realize is that studios have control over the merchandise and products. With rental outlets like Netflix, they can't simply buy DVDs and Blu-rays from a store and rent them out without some kind of agreement from the studio, which normally incurs a fee. Matter of fact, there are FBI "copyright" warnings that state that your purchase of that film on whatever format does not grant you a license to rent that film out. While we may not like that, rental entities like Netflix, Blockbuster and so on cannot simply purchase that movie just to rent it out because then it would be considered a copyright violation issue, much as Netflix and Redbox would like you to believe otherwise. It's why they filed suit against some studios in the first place. Studios are simply trying to protect the sales of the home video format. While some might not like that, I happen to agree with it. I think consumers who purchase the movie on DVD or Blu-ray should have exclusivity for their purchase for a limited time. I happen to remember when rental outlets had an exclusive right to movie releases, as much as a week prior to its retail release. Now that studios are going the other way, rental outlets are complaining. It really doesn't surprise me, at any rate. Personally, I don't rent, if there's a movie that I want, I find it cost effective to simply purchase the movie for my personal viewing pleasure.

06-09-2012, 11:01 PM	#11
TNAJason Active Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 4K collection:109 Blu-ray collection:5297 DVD collection:4107 Digital collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:130	I don't rent very much anyway,so this doesn't bother me,and I prefer something like this than the Rumored Digital-Download-ONLY(NO Physical Media) future some media reporters are predicting in the next 5-10 years.

06-09-2012, 11:02 PM	#12
rdodolak Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 4K collection:880 Blu-ray collection:3733 DVD collection:939 MA collection:338 Digital collection:1099 iTunes collection:75 Prime collection:11 Trading Score:20	^ My understanding is studios have control over digital content but when it comes to physical content rental outlets are able to purchase content from retailers and rent those copies, legally, based on the first-sale doctrine.

06-09-2012, 11:22 PM	#14
KilloWertz Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Columbiana, OH 4K collection:61 Blu-ray collection:1042 DVD collection:65 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:82	Warner, Fox, and Universal have been doing this for a while now. At least some regular rental stores just buy copies from Target, Best Buy, etc. instead now. This whole holding back movies for a month or more isn't ideal, but in a way, I'm kind of used to it now. If it's something I really want to see, I would have bought it anyways.

06-09-2012, 11:36 PM	#16
octagon Blu-ray Prince Member since:Jun 2010 Location:Chicago 4K collection:255 Blu-ray collection:2799	I doubt rentals help drive sales all that much. Are there people who rent something and immediately run out and buy it? Sure. But there are also people who rent stuff and think 'whew, glad I didn't buy that' or (and I think this is the significant group) 'yeah, that was pretty good, I'll grab it when it drops below ten bucks'. And really, when you consider how short the windows between theatrical runs and home video releases have become an additional 28 days before you can watch a movie for around a dollar doesn't really seem all that burdensome.

06-10-2012, 12:08 AM	#19
Jennifer Lawrence Fan Blu-ray Jedi Member since:Aug 2011 4K collection:413 Blu-ray collection:2750 DVD collection:1312 MA collection:305 Digital collection:495 iTunes collection:284 Trading Score:721	The video store I go to gets stuff in no matter the day as far as I know. They even have a little sign infront of those movies that netflix or redbox doesn't have. It says not available at netflix or redbox to rent for 28 days. And most if not all of those titles have the special features.

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