The list is on the whole true, although certain movies can mix it up a
little. The latest Stephen Soderbergh movie, Bubble, was only released
to a number of theatres, whilst being simultaneously released on dvd
and cable (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006-01-18-bubble-theater-threat_x.htm).
Despite this rare occurance, the time between the windows is
decreasing - and will decrease further over the next few years,
especially with the future of dvd-on demand. In 1993, the gap between
release in the theatre and on video was 191 days. In 2003, that gap
had decreased to 155
(http://www.technologyreview.com/BizTech-Intellectual_Property/wtr_16205,311,p1.html).
One of the reasons for this decrease is piracy, so the studio releases
its product faster on to dvd despite perhaps losing a little extra run
money. (http://blog.ultimateavmag.com/joelbrinkley/012406TIME/).
The exact time between the 'windows' - or the length of the 'windows'
themselves - is ever changeable, and dependent on how a movie does in
its first few weekends at the theatre. However, the whole process
lasts approximately 2 to 3 years in Great Britain, but can be a little
less if the end 'free-broadcaster' has played a role in the production
of the film.
Roughly, the theatrical box office relates to 26% of final revenue for
a film, video/dvd (now including umd) - 46% and all means of tv making
28% (http://www.factbook.net/wbglobal_rev.htm). |