People using Apple iTunes to download movies have so far had to put up with either dated titles, or titles which have been available to buy on DVD for some time.
However, Apple announced today that they have secured a deal with some of the major film studios, and leading independent studios, to allow movie releases through iTunes to coincide with the timing of the retail DVD release.
Movies produced by 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios are all part of the deal.
Vice President Of iTunes Speaks
Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes said:
“We’re thrilled to bring iTunes Store customers new films for purchase day-and-date with the DVD release. We think movie fans will love being able to buy their favorites from major and independent studios.”
Movie release available through iTunes this week are the first to be subject to the deal, and include American Gangster and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Other recent titles now available for purchase include Juno, Cloverfield, I Am Legend, There Will Be Blood, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Walk Hard.
Pricing & DRM Problems
The only problem in all this is the price, which has been set at $14.99 per film. This means you’ll be paying full price for a new movie release, but won’t have the option to back it up, nor any of the extra features included on the DVD release.
It’s great that legal downloads are now catching up in terms of delivery speed and mainstream acceptance. However, the price, especially when coupled with the prohibitive DRM, may mean mainstream acceptance is still a way off.
