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Q: Release window for Hollywood movies ( No Answer,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Release window for Hollywood movies
Category: Arts and Entertainment > Movies and Film
Asked by: vb1-ga
List Price: $10.00
Posted: 13 Feb 2006 18:25 PST
Expires: 15 Mar 2006 18:25 PST
Question ID: 445479
Hollywood movies are commonly released in certain windows in the U.S.:
 theatrical, DVD rental sales, PPV/VOD, pay cable, free broadcast.

I need the following information:
1.  Is this list accurate?  What should be added/deleted?
2.  How long does each window last?  Or, how much of a 'headstart'
does it get before the subsequent window?
3.  As a % of total revenue over the life of a film, how much revenue
is generated by each window (on average)?
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Release window for Hollywood movies
From: ultimatedruid-ga on 14 Feb 2006 03:34 PST
 
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).

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