Discuss: Would You Buy More DVDs If Rentals Were Delayed Four Weeks?

Posted by Rob Hunter (rob@filmschoolrejects.com) on October 29, 2009

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Some studios are banking that the answer to that question is “yes!”

An interesting story appeared over at the LATimes.com last week about an upcoming effort by studios to improve lagging DVD/Blu-ray sales. In brief, they hope to put restrictions on the amount of time between a title’s release and its availability for rent. From the LATimes piece:

Under the plan, new DVD releases would be available on a purchase-only basis for a few weeks, after which time companies such as Blockbuster Inc. and Netflix Inc. would be allowed to rent the DVDs to their customers. The move comes as the studios are grappling with sharply declining DVD revenue, which has long propped up the movie business.”

Basically a new DVD/Blu-ray would be released only for sale both online and on the shelves at Target, Wal-Mart, etc. If you want to see it, you have to buy it… or wait the additional few weeks for the sale-only window to close so you can rent it from your DVD peddler of choice. Traditionally speaking the highest percentage of DVD purchases and rentals are in those first few weeks of release. It makes sense as the marketing push from the studios to get your ass in the store is focused around that time. The hope is that the trend would continue and therefore translate into increased sales revenue.

And this is more than simply a rumor as the CEO of Netflix has confirmed talks on this very topic. The LATimes also states that “people close to the situation at several studios confirmed that such plans were under consideration and probably would take effect next year.”

So what do you think? Will you be able to resist picking up the new movie sitting on the store shelf for up to four weeks? Can you wait a full month with that title staring you in the face from ads on TV and in magazines in an effort to save a few bucks on a rental instead?

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Jandy

I never rent things when they come out anyway. Just throw it in my Netflix queue and when it gets to me, it gets to me. If I'm in a hurry to see something, I'll see it in theatres. This idea seems more likely to encourage piracy than anything else.

thisguy

Doesn't really affect me. I stopped going to rental stores after I got Netflix, and all the new release films you can get off the internet several weeks before they're available.

adamcharles

I don't think it's possible for me to buy any more dvds than I already do. So, no.

Christopher_M

I rarely buy new DVDs I usually wait until my rental place sells them as previously viewed...it's the difference between spending 30$ on a new release or 10$ on a previously viewed DVD with a lifetime guarantee...they overcharge new DVDs they should be less if Blu Ray/Downloading is a threat to sales...

adamcharles

I'd certainly be more prone to buy blu-rays when they reach the current standard-def price marks, rather than wait for used copies (which doesn't help the studios at all). When new blu-ray discs begin to reach the opening week sales prices of dvds ($15.99ish) I'll start dishing out for new blu-ray discs, and the studio can profit off of me.

PHiL

who cares...really. I buy old movies that I haven't seen from when I was younger.
TEEN WOLF TOO, BABYY!!!!!

Alex (FS.net)

I may be an exception because I write about movies for a living, but anyway... It wouldn't affect me because I don't ever rent that many movies. I usually got out and buy new releases from the store as is. If I want to watch something new that I haven't seen, I either Netflix it or just outright buy it (if I've heard it's good). Renting from Blockbuster is a rare occasion.

The other question is if this will affect Netflix at all. Will they not be able to ship new releases until 4 weeks after DVDs are released to buy? Not that I use Netflix all that often for new releases, but I think that would hurt more people than Blockbuster. I thought those brick and mortar stores were all slowly dying anyway.

Meh. It wouldn't really affect me, but I'm sure plenty of others will be annoyed.

Regi_S

As much as I love movies, there aren't many that I've seen the past couple of years that give the "I've got to have it on DVD feelings" after seeing them in theater. But when I get those feelings about a movie I usually buy it with in the first week. Otherwise I do as everyone else and put it in my Netflix queue and watch it whenever it gets here.
Also how big is the decline in DVD sales compared to the increase in ticket sales movie studios have been talking about in theaters this year?

djjeffhall

Speaking for myself this is great. I never rent movies, only purchase them. (Purely due to time. <lol> If I own the DVD I can watch it at my leisure and when I get to it.)

As for what will cause consumers to purchase DVD's? This isn't the way to go about it. If someone is planning on purchasing a DVD, they are going to purchase it. Back when I rented movies it was an either/or situation. If I liked the movie enough to buy it, I did. If I was so-so about it, I rented. I cannot recall one instance where I rented a film and then purchased it later. (That might also be a reflection of how often I go to see movies in the theaters as well. I average 40-50 films a year on the big screen. If I'm not interested enough to see it, I can't imagine having interest owning it.)

I think the best solution in getting me to purchase a DVD is by giving my a good and complete package. There are how many different versions of Watchmen available? To damn many if you ask me. Do you want the Best Buy Version, the Amazon version of the Target version, all of which have unique packaging and features? Why not wait for a version that has all of them compiled? (Of course, if sales lag then the elusive "Big Picture" package never materializes. Catch 22)

Also, don't spend time jerking around the customers. I loved Casino Royale, bought the DVD the day it came out. What happens later when Quantum is released? The "Deluxe" version of Casino is released and I feel screwed. Did I purchase Quantun Of Solace when it came out? No. I'll wait for the "Deluxe" packaging. (Yes, I enjoyed Quantum enough to purchase it even if it doesn't hold a candle to Casino Royale.) If I remember that is.

lucascott

indeed. I have like 4 different sets of the Lord of the Rings because every so many months they released new ones with new features. Very annoying. My Harry Potter obsessed siblings will likely have to buy the 'complete collection' when that happens, even with owning them as they came out because there will probably be new features on that which they will have to have.

myself, I download more than I buy discs. and by download I mean legally not all this cam crap while the movies are in the theatre. Or I netflix. the home video industry needs a complete overhaul cause they are trying to continue a dying game. Downloads are growing in popularity but the studios aren't working with that market. they are just trying to keep the physical disks going. despite being higher in production costs, creating more trash etc.

Discuss: Would You Buy More DVDs If Rentals Were Delayed Four Weeks?

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