Apple's rumored iTunes Replay service is still "a ways off", CNet reports. According to the publication's sources, Apple has yet to sign the required cloud agreements for feature films with at least four of the top six film studios. Apple reportedly started pursuing these agreements earlier in the year, but sources say the negotiations "could drag on for months".
iTunes Replay was described as a service that would allow customers to redownload movies or even stream them to Macs or iOS devices. The recent availability of TV show redownloads through iCloud seemed to suggest that Apple could be close to a similar Movie offering. CNet reports, however, that movies are a different beast altogether.
One major reason is due to the "HBO window", which is the period of time in which HBO owns exclusive electronic distribution rights for movies from three of the top six studios. During this time, online retailers such as Apple, would be prevented from providing downloads or streaming of those particular movies. The entire industry may be held up with the same issues, so it seems there is an incentive to renegotiate these contracts. But, as said before, it will simply take more time.
CNet also debunks the supposed deals that Apple had in place to launch a Netflix competitor. According to the same industry sources, Apple does not have any deals in place to create a Netflix-like subscription service.
Top Rated Comments
I don't understand why they resist the Apple developments. Surely having a massive distributor like Apple on board with full rights is better than piecemeal dsitribution services.
Don't make this "personal" about Apple. It's not the movie studios resisting Apple... they are resisting many things - Apple is just one distributor amongst many and amongst other issues the industry as a whole is facing.
Not just teenagers. I am 62 and my wife and I love to go out to the movies at least once or twice a week if anything new and of interest is released. I used to think I would love to be able to see it at home, but not anymore. I think I would miss those "date's" with the wife.
I agree (I'm not quite 62 yet.. I'm in my 40s) - but I also think there's a generational thing going on here too. Even though frustrating at time (mostly because some people can't stop texting for 5 seconds, etc) going to the theater is a social experience not only with the person your with but on a community level which does often enhance the viewing experience making things scary - scarier and funny, funnier.
But more and more - the younger generations have lesser attention spans, rely on their high tech devices for entertainment and see nothing inherently wrong with staying "isolated."
I am sure I'll get downrated for this - but that's ok. I enjoy facebook - but as much as it's a SOCIAL network - it's also an UNSOCIAL network. Why? Because even though I do stay more connected with people and know what they are up to via updates/pictures - I have found myself have FAR less phone conversations, emails, etc with them as well.
It's all related in my opinion.
"...sources say the negotiations 'could drag on for months'".
Curious on what this means, i.e. how do companies like these negotiate?
Do their lawyers actually email/call each other continuously back and forth for months until offers get "hot" enough and there is a physical meeting to get down to "real" business, i.e. round table discussions?
Or is it more like... "meh, this offer is no good, lets have another meeting in a couple of months"?
:confused:
Offers like these are hundreds if not thousands of pages and can go back and forth for clarification, points being argued, language being used, etc over and over. It's not remotely uncommon.
I see the movie theaters going out of business someday anyways. Imagine a website like Netflix where you could watch new release films and PAUSE them if you want haha. Subscription based model might work well.
Theater experience is not going anywhere. Unless you can put 100 (or what size it is) feet screen with surround sound in every home that is.