Comcast to trial simultaneous release of DVD and films on demand

Hot the heels of Comcast's testing of TiVo comes an announcement sure to please couch-dwellers everywhere, as the firm unveils plans to release films on demand the very same day they're released on DVD. While it's no surprise to see Comcast digging deeper into the VOD closet, this plan (initially hitting Pittsburgh and Denver) hopes to seize a potential opportunity that's currently being wasted as movies hit the on-demand scenes approximately "30 to 45 days" after rolling out on DVD. Moreover, it seems that movie studios are more than willing to lend their support, as sagging DVD sales are reportedly being (at least somewhat) attributed to the skyrocketing popularity in not moving a single inch utilizing VOD. Of course, this newfangled approach could potentially hurt firms like Blockbuster, but representatives have purportedly said that studios would be "extra cautious" not to cannibalize sales in the rental and retail industries. It wouldn't be too shocking to see VOD purchases head north if flicks are released soon after their departure from theaters, but we're sure the DVD aficionados will keep piling up those collections no matter what.

[Via Digg]

[Michael @ Dec 20th 2006 1:05AM]

I could've sworn Comcast was bought by Time Warner Cable?

[Ben Belden @ Dec 20th 2006 1:29AM]

I live in Pittsburgh and we have Comcast and I didn't know this was breaking news. They've been advertising movies as appearing on In Demand day-and-date with DVDs for about three weeks now. But Comcast has been advertising it pretty heavily in nearly all their commercials and I've also noticed a few DVD commercials that throw in "also on In Demand" at the end.

[joe @ Dec 20th 2006 7:59AM]

In Kansas city, it would be nice if they got the basic VOD working right before they try to break into new avenues to charge us for.

We routinely get error messages on our DVR when trying to use VOD and now we also get to watch ads embedded in the TV guide portion.

I pray for the day we can get Time Warner again(never thought I would be saying that ever...)

[stu @ Dec 20th 2006 10:29AM]

I'm in Pittsburgh as well and I can't say how much I appreciate this service by Comcast. The company that owned all of the Blockbuster franchises in Pittsburgh went bankrupt a few months ago, closing all of the Blockbusters in town except for a few corporate ones (none near my house). This saves me a long trek to Blockbuster if all I want is a quick rental of a new movie.

[Ben Belden @ Dec 20th 2006 12:16PM]

Why would you rent movies at Blockbuster in the first place? They edit their movies, have prices that are too high, have a crappy selection, and poor employees. There are much better choices than Blockbuster. Try Family Video. They just put two in around my house and I am constantly impressed by them.

[Zach @ Dec 22nd 2006 1:40PM]

Just give me Battlestar Galactica in HD after the original ep's air and I'll be a very happy camper. That'd force me to stick with Comcast even though (at least in south FL) don't offer ESPN Full Court.

[Z @ Dec 21st 2006 8:43AM]

Now if Comcast could actually do something exciting with their On-Demand selection, which is crap at best, then maybe people would be interested.

Their movie library is a joke and Comcast is completely deluded in thinking their selection is great, which it isn't. Only until their On-Demand selection of movies rivals that of Netflix will most of us be truly impressed.