Friday, October 14, 2005
Comcast Proposes DVD/VOD Service
Posted by Chris Gohlke in "CONTENT" @ 05:00 AM
"Look out Blockbuster, Best Buy and all other DVD retail outlets. Comcast is said to be in negotiations with Hollywood to provide a feature film Video-On-Demand service that will not only allow customers to view movies six weeks in advance of typical pay-per-view schedules, but will immediately ship the accompanying physical DVD when customers place their VOD order – cost: $17."
Depending on the implementation, this could be absolutely brilliant. It combines the instant gratification of VOD with the ability to have a DVD to keep and watch over and over. I have to questions that I could not find information on in the article that could make or break this though. First, if I watch the VOD and hate the movie, can I pay a lower amount and not get the DVD, i.e. the VOD is $4 and if I like it, I can pay the extra $13 for them to send me the movie and if not I can skip it. Second, are they sending you the retail DVD in the retail packaging or are you going to get a specially branded, movie only DVD? Still, kudos to Comcast for thinking outside the box and putting together what looks like a good value proposition for the consumer.
Depending on the implementation, this could be absolutely brilliant. It combines the instant gratification of VOD with the ability to have a DVD to keep and watch over and over. I have to questions that I could not find information on in the article that could make or break this though. First, if I watch the VOD and hate the movie, can I pay a lower amount and not get the DVD, i.e. the VOD is $4 and if I like it, I can pay the extra $13 for them to send me the movie and if not I can skip it. Second, are they sending you the retail DVD in the retail packaging or are you going to get a specially branded, movie only DVD? Still, kudos to Comcast for thinking outside the box and putting together what looks like a good value proposition for the consumer.
