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NYT: Netflix strikes deal with Dreamworks, will begin streaming movies, TV specials in 2013
It looks like those rumors of a streaming deal between Netflix and Dreamworks Animation were as good as advertised. Details are still fuzzy at this point, but the New York Times is reporting that the two parties have reached an agreement to stream Dreamworks' movies and TV projects, as part of a deal worth an estimated $30 million. Under the contract, which replaces a similar pay TV pact between Dreamworks and HBO, Netflix will begin offering exclusive access to the studio's new films in 2013, with Antz, Kung Fu Panda and other titles from its library slated to become available for streaming sometime thereafter. The company won't be confined to selling digital copies of Dreamworks' movies within a specific period, either, drawing a major distinction between itself and HBO, which requires studio partners to halt digital sales outside of an exclusive window. HBO probably isn't too thrilled to see Netflix strike what Dreamworks chief exec Jeffrey Katzenberg called a "game-changing deal," but it also has a new partnership of its own with Summit Studios, which it brought on board after letting Dreamworks out of its contract a full two years early. We're still waiting for official confirmation of Netflix's latest deal, but we'll let you know as soon as we get it. Update: Now with the official press release, included after the break.
Dreamworks animated films now available on iTunes
After quite a wait, Dreamworks Animation has finally relented to allowing its movies on iTunes, which means the company's catalog is more or less up for grabs. Kung Fu Panda is one title customers have been waiting for, and Monsters vs. Aliens, Bee Movie, and Madagascar 2 are available as well. Shrek the Third is the only movie of that series available at the moment, unfortunately, and there's no sign of Megamind or How to Train Your Dragon, so the catalog isn't complete by any means. Still, progress is progress, and this deal means you and your kids have a few more options when you jump into iTunes to find a movie to watch. Whatever issues there were between Dreamworks and Apple have apparently been worked out, to some degree at least.
Netflix patch arrives for rooted Asus Transformers, it's okay to be happy
If you've seen this handsome screen on your Asus Transformer, it means you've finally managed to root it. Congratulations. And yet, it's all so... anticlimactic. What was the point of it? In fact, what's the point of anything? Hey, don't go down that road. Install Netflix instead, courtesy of a new patch from XDA Developers at the source link below. Then watch Kung Fu Panda one more time and the sense of order in your life will magically return. Like the wise Oogway said: "You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach." [Thanks everyone who sent this in]
Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending November 16th, 2008
After staying in the double digits in regards to market share for all of October, for the second week in the row Blu-ray only manages just under 10% of the top 20 home media market share, according to Nielsen VideoScan courtesy of Home Media Magazine. The good news for Blu-ray is that sales were up 83.49 percent to over $20 million, which is up from about $11 million last week. The fact that Blu-ray didn't manage more of the market is what we'll refer to the panda affect. While we're not exactly sure how well Kung Fu Panda did on Blu-ray -- because the title market share chart only listed the top 10 this week -- last week it was less than 6 percent. Assuming this trend continued, and the fact that the panda movie held the number one and number three position on the DVD charts, it appears Blu-ray's number one title, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, was no match for it. Next week we'd be willing to bet we see much of the same because while WALL-E has a much broader appeal then animated fighting bears, it probably won't be enough to break Blu over 10 percent all on its own.
Blu-ray releases on November 4th 2008
As we get closer and closer to the end of the year, each and every studio keeps releasing new titles in record numbers, as is evident this week with over 20 new titles. Dreamworks's animated feature Kung Fu Panda is the biggest this week and while it is expected to sell well, we'd be surprised if it managed much of DVD's market share. Another animated movie which is probably more in line with the Blu-ray demographic though, is Futurama: Bender's Game. Steve Carell's latest comedy is out this week from Warner with Get Smart, which is sure to be good for a laugh. Although these movies will be the most popular this week, the theme is most definitely Planet of the Apes with six classics released by Fox. The next few weeks is much of the same,as we count down to the remaining blockbusters due this year like WALL-E and the Dark Knight. Kung Fu Panda (Dreamworks) Futurama: Bender's Game (Fox) Get Smart (Warner) Transsiberian (First Look) Tenacious D: The Complete Master Works 2 (Sony) Monster's Ball (Lionsgate) Battle for the Planet of the Apes (Fox) Beneath the Planet of the Apes (Fox) Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (Fox) Escape from the Planet of the Apes (Fox) Planet of the Apes (40th Anniversary Edition) (Fox) Planet of the Apes: 40 Year Evolution Blu-ray Collection (Fox) Planet Earth/Earth: The Biography Collection (BBC) A Christmas Story (Warner) A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition (Warner) Extreme (IMAX) (National Geographic) Henry Poole Is Here (Starz / Anchor Bay) Heroes Blu-ray Franchise Collection (Season 1 | Season 2) (Universal) NBA Champions 2007-2008 - Boston Celtics (Warner) Sony Animation bundle (Monster House/Surf's Up/Open Season) (Sony) Universal Soldier (Lionsgate)
Behold: Kung-Fu Panda and something else from Luxoflux
California-based Luxoflux have finally come out of their development shell to reveal what they've got planned for this year... and next year. What they've got planned for the near future. What you can expect is this: "The DreamWorks project, Kung Fu Panda" coming to the PlayStation 3 and XBox 360 in 2008. How crazy is that? Sounds like another winner from the CG animal family-film genre which is growing about as saturated in movie theaters as WWII titles are on consoles... or sports games on consoles... or JRPG's on Sony consoles prior to the PS3.There's another project, too, though. Some kind of multiplayer action title, but we don't know what year they're releasing that one or a single thing about the game. It's a complete mystery, but we're sure it'll have a little more going for it than a DreamWorks product. Not that DreamWorks is bad -- they've tossed out their fair share of quality, but you know. Something that originates as a game and becomes a game.Blah, blah... too many movies today are based on books, true stories, remakes, or sequels. End rant.
