By Andrew Wallenstein
The move would allow a broad slate of top-shelf films to be
offered day-and-date with home video releases, which risks
cannibalizing DVD sales.
Such a move would also put significant pressure on iTunes
competitors ranging from Amazon's Unbox to Microsoft XBox Live
Marketplace.
The new arrangement is expected to involve Fox, Walt Disney
Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, Sony Pictures,
Lionsgate and New Line. The deal does not include new titles
from MGM, but does extend to boutique firms such as Magnolia
and Image Entertainment.
The deal comes on the heels of Apple's announcement in
January that it had signed all of the studios to movie rentals,
with each title costing just $3-$4 for consumers to access for
a 30-day period. Movie purchases, however, could cost as much
as $15.
Apple hasn't moved as aggressively to date on film as it
has in TV, with most download-to-own devoted to older titles in
studio libraries. But Apple's success with those deals, which
included MGM, Disney and Paramount, likely encouraged studios
to take the next step.
In March, Disney CEO Bob Iger publicly estimated that his
company had sold 4 million movies via iTunes since it became
the first studio to try download-to-own in 2006. A few major
new releases already have been made available day-and-date in
recent weeks on iTunes, including Fox's "Juno."
Thursday's announcement is expected to contain new data on
the success of Apple's movie revenue to date.
The news follows Wednesday's disclosure by Time Warner CEO
Jeffrey Bewkes that Warner Bros. will experiment with
video-on-demand releases day-and-date with DVD.
The announcement originally was expected to be released
earlier in the week, perhaps timed to the fifth anniversary of
iTunes, which was Monday.
Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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