More Warner titles on DVD, VOD simultaneously

Michael Clayton, The Brave One, among the nine Q1 releases

By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 2/8/2008

FEB. 8 | Warner Bros. is stepping up its slate of films debuting simultaneously on DVD and video-on-demand, giving Michael Clayton, The Brave One and No Reservations a day-and-date release in February followed by March releases August Rush and Nancy Drew. Films will be available the same day through all VOD operators nationwide.

That, along with The Invasion in January, brings the total number of day-and-date releases to six in the first quarter, nearing the nine releases the studio simultaneously released in 2007.

Warner has been a vocal proponent of day-and-date VOD releases since last summer, when it said that initial results of a studio test with Comcast showed that simultaneous releases boost DVD and VOD sales, while slightly denting DVD rentals. Following that, the studio put out nine movies day-and-date on VOD and DVD nationally, including The Astronaut Farmer, TMNT, We Are Marshall, License to Wed and The Reaping.

“The tests that we’ve done have met with a very positive consumer response,” spokesman Jim Noonan said.

Warner continues to take part in window tests with Comcast and Time Warner Cable, along with the other major studios. As part of those tests, all movies are released simultaneously in a few markets.

Warner sister company New Line also is releasing select films day-and-date nationwide, giving Rendition a simultaneous debut Feb. 19, following January releases Mr. Woodcock and Shoot ’Em Up.

Comcast and other cable companies have been aggressively pushing day-and-date releases, believing it will boost VOD sales.

“Any opportunity to really narrow the windows is a great opportunity for our customers,” Comcast spokeswoman Jenni Moyer said.

Comcast touted the latest releases from Warner and New Line in a press release sent out this week as part of its Project Infinity plan to deliver more movies, TV shows, high-def programming and other content to its customers.

The announcement came the same day that rival Cablevision announced it would make films from Universal Studios and Warner available on VOD the day they are released on DVD with the purchase of the film on disc. 

As part of its latest offering, Comcast also will offer Universal’s Bourne and New Line’s Rush Hour franchises on demand.

Comcast also began offering its customers premiere episodes of HBO series The Wire and VH1’s Flavor of Love on demand this week, before their debut on TV. The first season of Showtime series The Tudors will be offered to all digital cable customers beginning Feb. 18, before the second season premiere March 30.