Idea to boost Blu-ray sales

[gazzie4]

OK, I have both formats and have started buying more blu ray only because of Warners change. I had a thought though that may have been mentioned, or may not have and may not even be allowed with all the union issues.

Here goes why not pick one movie a quarter. A big movie not a dud, and release it exclusively on blu ray one week after theater release. But not for rent. Only for purchase and only for a limited time. That would help push people who haven't made the choice, make the choice.

I may be off my rocker completely, but I really think people who were on the fence, but really love movies, would make this choice. Production companies and movie companies really won't lose extra money and may even help pad thier pockets. And this would really help boost the sales of players. I think it would be beneficial for just about everyone.

Just a thought, take it or leave it.

[bkbluray]

Originally Posted by gazzie4

OK, I have both formats and have started buying more blu ray only because of Warners change. I had a thought though that may have been mentioned, or may not have and may not even be allowed with all the union issues.

Here goes why not pick one movie a quarter. A big movie not a dud, and release it exclusively on blu ray one week after theater release. But not for rent. Only for purchase and only for a limited time. That would help push people who haven't made the choice, make the choice.

I may be off my rocker completely, but I really think people who were on the fence, but really love movies, would make this choice. Production companies and movie companies really won't lose extra money and may even help pad thier pockets. And this would really help boost the sales of players. I think it would be beneficial for just about everyone.

Just a thought, take it or leave it.

It's a good idea. There's no possible way a studio would allow for a release 1 week after the movie was released in theaters, but I guess it's possible to still have an earlier release than the regular one (say 2-3 weeks early). If they did that with Dark Knight or I Am Legend I think that could help people make the switch.

[gazzie4]

Originally Posted by bkbluray

It's a good idea. There's no possible way a studio would allow for a release 1 week after the movie was released in theaters, but I guess it's possible to still have an earlier release than the regular one (say 2-3 weeks early). If they did that with Dark Knight or I Am Legend I think that could help people make the switch.

I just really think if they did a early release it would help, even if it is a movie that has been in theaters for a few weeks. I know in our location there used to be a discount movie theater that 4 movies would move to after about 4-6 weeks in theaters and would only cost 2 dollars to see. I think that would be an incentive to go Blu.

[#1 Rush fan]

I have another idea to add...they should start CLEARLY advertising that all Blu-ray players WORK on REGULAR old fashioned TV's AND PLAY regular DVD's. I know the purpose of Blu-ray isn't to play on 480i TV's, BUT it is helpful and REASSURING to the GENERAL PUBLIC in my opinion....

[gazzie4]

Originally Posted by #1 Rush fan

I have another idea to add...they should start CLEARLY advertising that all Blu-ray players WORK on REGULAR old fashioned TV's AND PLAY regular DVD's. I know the purpose of Blu-ray isn't to play on 480i TV's, BUT it is helpful and REASSURING to the GENERAL PUBLIC in my opinion....

I disagree as no one is going to spend that kind of money to buy a blu ray player to watch it on a 480i tv.

They also aren't going to wait the 5 minutes for a movie to start

[AllenA]

As of right now people who are going to buy Blu-Ray are going to be people who have at minimum a 720p television, otherwise there is not going to be any reason to upgrade.

However I do think that movies should be released Blu exclusive. When a new movie comes out, let it be on Blu only for a few weeks, and then come out in regular DVD, this would start people moving in towards Blu.

[mootinator]

Originally Posted by gazzie4

I disagree as no one is going to spend that kind of money to buy a blu ray player to watch it on a 480i tv.

They also aren't going to wait the 5 minutes for a movie to start

They might buy a PS3 to play on a regular TV.

Then they won't _have_ to wait 5 minutes for the movie to start.

Though I still, personally wouldn't spend the extra cash on blu-ray media just to play on a 480i TV.

[SamInNorthCakalakey]

Another way to go on this is to put out movie releases early on Blu. Let the DVD version come out a few weeks later. Just like what Warner is doing to HD DUD.

[MacHaggis]

The only movie that will be able to do that is Spaceballs 2 (if they ever make it).

In fact, the Blu-ray will come out for sale even before the movie is finished

Bogdan

[gazzie4]

Originally Posted by MacHaggis

The only movie that will be able to do that is Spaceballs 2 (if they ever make it).

In fact, the Blu-ray will come out for sale even before the movie is finished

Bogdan

I thought spaceballs 2 was on betamax already, wouldn't it be spaceballs 3 now.

[cartier]

Originally Posted by AllenA

...However I do think that movies should be released Blu exclusive. When a new movie comes out, let it be on Blu only for a few weeks, and then come out in regular DVD, this would start people moving in towards Blu.

I too believe this is a good way to go, however not merely as a way to boost Blu-ray sales but to encourage Blu-ray adoption and effectively win the war against DVD. This would be especially effective come holiday time if summer blockbusters were only on Blu until sometime after Christmas and the New Year.

[BluWave]

As far as advertising to the standard def public. Thats tuff, these people are not even paying attention that we are about 11 months from the 2009 analog broadcast cut off date. They are sticking by their analog sets with less than 480I connections from their DVD players. When its all said and done Id like them to do everything in thier power to get more of the public to buy, but their are some parts of the country that could give a crap less about high resolution and great sound. I think its obviously inevitable that the costs will drop on players and that will be enough...Oh and once Toshiba gives up that will help too!

[fly4rabbi]

I watch blu-ray on a standard tv. I got my ps3 for christmas and don't yet have the money for a new tv. Sucks being a college student. I think the only people who watch blu on a standard tv would be ps3 owners.

[DisneyKrayzie]

Originally Posted by AllenA

As of right now people who are going to buy Blu-Ray are going to be people who have at minimum a 720p television, otherwise there is not going to be any reason to upgrade.

I am planning to purchase my first Blu-Ray player in a couple months, probably with my tax return, and still have a standard 480i television. My DVD players both need replaced and if I am going to replace them I might as well get Blu-Ray, eventually I will have a HDTV and would regret purchasing regular DVD players now and then replacing them with Blu-Ray later on.

I do think that advertising that Blu-Ray players will still play regular DVD's would help a lot, I still hear many people that think they wont work. I do like the idea of releasing selected movies right after their theatrical release.

[daringdogcow]

Originally Posted by gazzie4

Here goes why not pick one movie a quarter. A big movie not a dud, and release it exclusively on blu ray one week after theater release. But not for rent. Only for purchase and only for a limited time.

You're not off your rocker at all. Disney CEO Bob Iger has been a longtime fan of this idea:

"Mr. Iger says the movie industry also needs to rethink its business model by narrowing, or even eliminating, the gap between a movie's theatrical release and its availability on DVD or pay-per-view. His suggestion took aim at two problems plaguing the industry: declining movie attendance and an apparent plateau in DVD sales.

Theater owners lashed back at Mr. Iger, blaming bad movies for Hollywood's problems. 'If the entire industry went to a simultaneous release, that would mean fewer movies, fewer movie theaters, and consumers will have fewer choices,' says John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theater Owners.

But Mr. Iger isn't backing down. 'The message I want to send internally is that we must ask the right questions about current business conditions,' he says, 'and we have to be innovative and willing to test new ideas and new strategies.'" [Link]

So, if he thinks it's a good idea in general, he'd probably like the idea for BD.

[LynxFX]

I'm not sold on the idea yet, but I think it is a horrible idea for the Studios. Right now they get an automatic double dip from me if I like a movie. $10 to see it at the theatre, $20 for a keeper a few months down the line. A few gems even get multiple viewings at the theatre, so $20 or $30 right there. So they are getting at least $10 from me, and $30 to $50 just for one movie if I liked it. If they were to release a film just a week, or even a month after theatrical release I'll probably wait. Most cases I would probably just rent the disc which for me would account to about $2. If I like it, I would purchase it, so $20 there. So now the minimum will be $2 and max $22.

And like the quote shows above, Theater owners would refuse to show those movies, or probably any movies from that Studio. There goes a nearly 10 billion dollar industry. Having only 3-4 months between theatrical and home video right now is making it hard to justify going to the theatre. I used to see around 150-200 films a year on the silver screen, now it is down to maybe 20-30 because I can wait a couple months to rent it for a fraction of the cost.

You want my idea to boost Blu-ray sales? Lower the MSRP of the discs by $10. New releases hitting B&M stores at DVD prices ($15) will make choosing the BD version a no brainer.

[hardcore_canadian]

I always thought this Idea was better suited to fight SD-DVD, so that there's a chance to defeat the big enemy. And even then, i would just release the movie 2-3 weeks before the DVD, not a week or 2 after theatrical release.

[daringdogcow]

Originally Posted by LynxFX

Right now they get an automatic double dip from me if I like a movie. $10 to see it at the theatre, $20 for a keeper a few months down the line. A few gems even get multiple viewings at the theatre, so $20 or $30 right there. So they are getting at least $10 from me, and $30 to $50 just for one movie if I liked it. If they were to release a film just a week, or even a month after theatrical release I'll probably wait. Most cases I would probably just rent the disc which for me would account to about $2. If I like it, I would purchase it, so $20 there. So now the minimum will be $2 and max $22.

This seems to apply more to movies that completely fail during their theatrical runs. I thought we were floating the idea of a simultaneous theatrical / BD release for a high profile title on a seasonal basis. A film like Ratatouille would've fit the bill, given the good buzz and the fact that it was crowded out during its theatrical run. (Domestic sales fell short of Cars' earnings, despite the fact that Ratatouille was viewed more favorably by critics.) I figure that even someone who wasn't that crazy about the film might go for the impulse buy. Disney could then double-dip the titles with a Special Edition / Platinum Edition with all the extras. The Disney vault is a good example; the scarcity it creates even generates demand for an inferior product, like Cinderella II.

Originally Posted by LynxFX

And like the quote shows above, Theater owners would refuse to show those movies, or probably any movies from that Studio. There goes a nearly 10 billion dollar industry.

Obviously, I can't get into the head of someone who runs an media empire and earns $27.7 million a year, but I don't think movie theaters have all the market power here. It's Hollywood studios that are the resource monopolies; without them, theaters would have no content to present to their audiences. The studios, on the other hand, have alternative business models they're working on. Paramount just released Jackass 2.5 online.

You want my idea to boost Blu-ray sales? Lower the MSRP of the discs by $10. New releases hitting B&M stores at DVD prices ($15) will make choosing the BD version a no brainer.

DVDs still have MSRPs in the $20-30 range, and they're at the end of their lifecycle. It's LGF and Fox that won't lower their price points. On the other hand, every new release from BVHE in Q1 has been $23.95 on Amazon. Back catalog is listing for $19.95 and there's a $10 rebate for anyone who buys The Rock, Con Air, or Crimson Tide BD and already has the DVD. There's also an $5 off coupon you can print. I'd say that at least one studio's getting there.

[corky]

Very easy...Release Blu-ray players in the $99 to $199 range.

Right now there is so many people buying upconversion DVD players instead of Blu-ray because of the price difference. Not many people after spending $700 for a bedroom LCD want to spend another $500 for Blu-ray. When the prices start dropping on Blu-ray players then you'll end up seeing more and more Blu-ray rental copies of the latest movies at your local Blockbuster, until then the transition from DVD to Blu-ray will take a long time.

[Firestreak]

You want to release dvds and blu-rays at the same time, so you can advertise them together. Advertising is a huge part of the budget for selling anything.