Studios May Offer HD VOD Movies Before DVD Release

 Hi everybody!

I have some more possibly great news for lovers of high definition television. Cable and satellite operators may soon offer first-run movies on HD VOD shortly after their theatrical release — and well before their DVD and Blu-ray release.

That’s according to an article by ContentAgenda.com.

The web site writes that the studios have filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission that seeks a waiver from federal regulations barring TV providers from turning off analog connections to a TV. The waiver is necessary, the studios says, to ensure the high-def programming is restricted to digital outputs which carry anti-copying protection.

If the waiver is granted, the studios say they plan to offer “high-value, High-Definition digital movies to consumers for enjoyment in their homes sometime prior to release on prerecorded media such as DVD.”

ContentAgenda.com says further details were unavailable in the petition, such as pricing and launch dates. The site said the studios did not return inquiries seeking comment.

Cable and satellite operators — and studio executives — have openly speculated in recent months about offering some movies on HD VOD in advance of their DVD release, with some officials even saying some films could be offered on the same day as the theatrical release.

Presumably, the early HD VOD release would carry a larger price tag than other VOD films, which usually cost around $3.99.

I not personally a huge fan of VOD movies that you have to pay for, but this is interesting to me none the less. Having a son who is only 2 years old, I don’t really go to the movie theater as much as I did in the past. This service, while not likely to keep me from adding to my massive DVD and Blu-Ray library could allow me to get my ‘Big Budget Movie’ fix while it’s still fresh in my mind from its release in the theaters. What do you think? How much would you be willing to pay for an early HD VOD release of first-run movies?