Brooke Bunny
Paramount might soon be trialling a new release rollout that’ll see some of their films hit VOD first, before theaters. Meantime, mid-level titles like “Paranormal Activity : The Ghost Dimension” (October 23) will be available On Demand a mere 17 days after they hit cinemas. Paramount have got the OK from Cineplex and AMC theaters to rush the titles to digital platforms.
“Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse”, opening a week after the final installment in the “Paranormal Activity” series, will also be available on VOD during it’s theatrical run.
Traditionally, films like those wouldn’t have been available on DVD, Blu-ray or On Demand until 3-4 months after the theatrical bow.
“Exhibition for the first time was open-minded about evolving our business instead of sticking their heads in the sand and ignoring what is happening around us,” Paramount vice chair Rob Moore told The Hollywood Reporter. “This is all about changing the definition of theatrical windows. Instead of starting the countdown from when a movie opens, we are starting from when it ends.”
