New report claims 24-hour, variable price iTunes rentals
Adding to the media frenzy surrounding possible iTunes movie rentals, a Hollywood magazine alleges that Apple's rentals will only last for short stretches of time and will use a flexible price structure.
Variety refers to supposed studio contacts which say that rented movie downloads from iTunes will last for just 24 hours before becoming unplayable. The report did not say how many plays would be allowed during the period.
However, Apple may rely on price and not longevity to lure in customers, according to the magazine. While some rentals will cost $5 each -- placing their rental prices close to those of new releases at retail outlets -- some will cost as little as $2.
No mention is made of the reasoning for the price system, though it may parallel Apple's variable price system for purchased movies, which discounts older titles.
The claimed sources also mirror information reported previously which suggests that Disney and Fox are the only two studios known to be pledging support for rentals. Other studios friendly to Apple's video efforts, such as Lionsgate, MGM, and Paramount, are described as candidates. Conversely, studios such as Sony, Universal, and Warner Bros. have "various competitive reasons" to keep their videos out of the service, Variety adds.
The latter may allude to Apple's spat with NBC-Universal, which has seen NBC TV shows pulled from iTunes. Universal Music Group has also opted out of long-term iTunes music contracts and excluded Apple from its protection-free music offerings.
Like all reports so far, however, the trade publication is certain about the date: its purported insiders state that Apple will announce movie rentals at next month's Macworld San Francisco expo.
Variety refers to supposed studio contacts which say that rented movie downloads from iTunes will last for just 24 hours before becoming unplayable. The report did not say how many plays would be allowed during the period.
However, Apple may rely on price and not longevity to lure in customers, according to the magazine. While some rentals will cost $5 each -- placing their rental prices close to those of new releases at retail outlets -- some will cost as little as $2.
No mention is made of the reasoning for the price system, though it may parallel Apple's variable price system for purchased movies, which discounts older titles.
The claimed sources also mirror information reported previously which suggests that Disney and Fox are the only two studios known to be pledging support for rentals. Other studios friendly to Apple's video efforts, such as Lionsgate, MGM, and Paramount, are described as candidates. Conversely, studios such as Sony, Universal, and Warner Bros. have "various competitive reasons" to keep their videos out of the service, Variety adds.
The latter may allude to Apple's spat with NBC-Universal, which has seen NBC TV shows pulled from iTunes. Universal Music Group has also opted out of long-term iTunes music contracts and excluded Apple from its protection-free music offerings.
Like all reports so far, however, the trade publication is certain about the date: its purported insiders state that Apple will announce movie rentals at next month's Macworld San Francisco expo.
Comments
/Adrian
If these are still SD, though, I will have difficulty justifying much more than $2 a movie. HD movies for $3-4 would be okay, but not for SD. I really hope Apple doesn't think they can still justify selling standard def movies for anything more than bargain basement prices in 2008.
However, Apple may rely on price and not longevity to lure in customers, according to the magazine. While some rentals will cost $5 each -- placing their rental prices close to those of new releases at retail outlets -- some will cost as little as $2.
LOL. $5 for a rental. Sounds like wishful thinking on the studio's part to me. Maybe the $2 a day thing might work, but you're gonna need HD content soon.
I'm interested in what other people are paying. Anyone else want to do the math?
NOTE: To calculate that number, I pulled up my Netflix history and counted how many movies I had actually received during 2007: 77 movies. Then I added up my yearly cost for my 3-at-a-time plan including tax ($18.39 x 12 = $220.68) and divided that by my 77 movies for an average of $2.87.
How about you?
Not leaving your home could be a slight advantage I guess, but Walmart for me is less than a 5 minute drive.
NOTE: To calculate that number, I pulled up my Netflix history and counted how many movies I had actually received during 2007: 77 movies. Then I added up my yearly cost for my 3-at-a-time plan ($16.99 x 12 = $203.88) and divided that by my 77 movies for an average of $2.65.
How about you?
For me, it was 78. Of course, since the iTunes price always includes tax, I based it on the actual paid NetFlix price of $18.34 a month. So for me, $2.82 a rental.
Of course, if you had 24 hours to watch it after you began watching it, I'd totally pay that price. The other day I bought an older $10 movie on iTunes for the kids to watch with a moments notice instead of going to the store, hoping that had it, etc. I would LOVE to have been able to rent it.
As much as I love NetFlix, if I could just rent virtually anything at the drop of a hat for $2-$3, I would definitely cancel my membership and do that. NetFlix makes it easy to queue things, but I will routinely find myself with 3 movies I'm not in the mood for right this. iTunes rentals would solve all of that.
Sign me up.
I don't know anyone who uses VHS anymore. If we could be able to rent movies
off of iTunes or maybe put them on Apple TV, life would be just perfect. No more waiting for DVD's in the mail or driving to the store. Rentals right in your home, when you want it.
What do you think?
I personally think that the DVD era will end. Do you remember video tapes?
I don't know anyone who uses VHS anymore. If we could be able to rent movies
off of iTunes or maybe put them on Apple TV, life would be just perfect. No more waiting for DVD's in the mail or driving to the store. Rentals right in your home, when you want it.
What do you think?
Gosh you're a genius.
Don't expect DVD's to die anytime soon though. Or DVD players for that matter, given that most people on this planet have at least a small collection of them.
Variety refers to supposed studio contacts which say that rented movie downloads from iTunes will last for just 24 hours before becoming unplayable.
This is fine if I want to view a movie during my commute, but what if I want to take a few films on a trip? I guess it means I have no choice but to go the illegal route and rip...
MGM is a Sony subsidiary, why the different policies?
You're right on that, though Sony doesn't appear to be the sole owner, I really don't know the specifics. Maybe they're just testing the service? That doesn't seem to make sense as they can probably choose what movies to release to the service.
I personally think that the DVD era will end. Do you remember video tapes?
I don't know anyone who uses VHS anymore. If we could be able to rent movies
off of iTunes or maybe put them on Apple TV, life would be just perfect. No more waiting for DVD's in the mail or driving to the store. Rentals right in your home, when you want it.
What do you think?
While the DVD era will end someday, it won't be for decades. The DVD is still inferior to the VHS in many ways. It takes forever for a DVD recorder to turn on and they all have incredibly frustrating inconsistency. Sometimes they record, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they record and then when I try to watch it, the recorder says the disc is blank and wants to format it. I've bought 4 DVD recorders (Lite-On, Sony, Zenith and Samsung) and I have had the same problems with all of them. I can't rely on them. No, only a VHS will turn on instantly, record instantly (don't have to format, can pause - flip channel and continue to record without a 3 minute delay, etc.) and never lose the image it recorded (unless you record over it). I long for the day when DVD recorders are as reliable and instanteous as the VHS VCR!!!
Although, I suppose DVD's could die from a lack of a good DVD recorder if Apple turned the MacMini into a VCR-like DVR, elimintating the need for a monthly fee (like TIVO)! I would buy three of those tomorrow!!! All I want is a VCR-type device with a hard drive instead of a tape. Let me program it and use it like I want.
While the DVD era will end someday, it won't be for decades. The DVD is still inferior to the VHS in many ways. It takes forever for a DVD recorder to turn on and they all have incredibly frustrating inconsistency. Sometimes they record, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they record and then when I try to watch it, the recorder says the disc is blank and wants to format it. I've bought 4 DVD recorders (Lite-On, Sony, Zenith and Samsung) and I have had the same problems with all of them. I can't rely on them. No, only a VHS will turn on instantly, record instantly (don't have to format, can pause - flip channel and continue to record without a 3 minute delay, etc.) and never lose the image it recorded (unless you record over it). I long for the day when DVD recorders are as reliable and instanteous as the VHS VCR!!!
Although, I suppose DVD's could die from a lack of a good DVD recorder if Apple turned the MacMini into a VCR-like DVR, elimintating the need for a monthly fee (like TIVO)! I would buy three of those tomorrow!!! All I want is a VCR-type device with a hard drive instead of a tape. Let me program it and use it like I want.
Ever try a HHD plus DVD recorder? it records the programme to HDD then when you are sure you have a viable recording that you want to archive you burn it to DVD. Panasonic do a few of these, as do Sony and Samsung.
Alternatively the Elgato EyeTV will record to your mac mini.