AFI BLOG: Media and Technology

Variety

Oscar-winning comedy available for download

At least two more majors have joined Disney in allowing their new releases to be sold via Apple’s iTunes Store.
Fox decided to go all the way on “Juno,” offering it for purchase on Tuesday, the same day that the DVD and Blu-ray versions hit shelves. Paramount has begun testing download sales of new releases as well: It offered “Beowulf” for purchase shortly after the pic hit shelves Feb. 26, and “Jackass 2.5″ was made available on the Web on Dec. 19, one week before the pic’s DVD release.

A Fox rep said it’s likely the studio will offer more new releases for sale in the future but indicated that decisions would be made on a title-by-title basis.

A Par spokesman said the studio has started experimenting with selling films on iTunes on a download-to-own basis during their new-release DVD window.

That more majors are even dipping their toes into the iTunes sales waters on new releases reps a notable breakthrough for Apple topper Steve Jobs, who has been trying to lure other studios to do so even since Disney entered the fray a year and a half ago. The Mouse House, which has a relationship with Apple since Jobs is its biggest individual shareholder and sits on its board, ran into static from Wal-Mart when it offered the made-for “High School Musical.”

Other studios have hesitated to follow suit due to concerns about Apple’s pricing and fears that Jobs could become too powerful. Par, for example, allowed certain older movies to be purchased on iTunes but barred new releases from the service until now.

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