- Joined
- Nov 27, 2023
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- 1,345
TLDR; Digital rights transitions from Shout! are currently experiencing an overlap period. New rules or mistake?
I've noticed a strange new trend in digital licensing that I think is worth calling out. In multiple threads there has been discussion of what can happen to movies when distribution rights change. Generally these changes occur with no warning whatsoever and consumers can feel caught off guard. To be clear, this absolutely still happens and I expect it to continue.
However, I'm seeing new behavior that is specific to Shout!'s acquisition of digital titles:
1. New Shout! version of digital title is put up for pre-order. Current version from prior distributor still available (!).
2. New Shout! version of digital title is released. Prior version from prior distributor STILL available (!!!) for period of time.
3. Prior version removed from digital distribution. Only new Shout! version available.
I first noticed this occurring with the Halloween movies (1,4,5) but am now seeing it with Creepshow, Hellraiser 1 & 2, C.H.U.D., The Initiation, etc. All of these movies are at some stage of this process on other stores. (FYI, although these are all horror titles, I think that has more to do with the season rather than the process.)
Also, it doesn't appear that K is playing along (yet?).* For instance, Hellraiser 1 & 2 hit digital 4K last week on other digital stores you'll find them sitting right alongside the prior HD versions. However, K has already pulled these legacy versions, much like they pulled the Halloween titles upon the new 4K releases.
I have no idea what any of this means. Did transition dates loosen up? Is Shout! simply being more open about distribution changes than other studios? Or, is all of this a happy accident that will soon be corrected? Everything is speculation at this point, but I will say that I do like this as it provides a brief window where a consumer can make a decision that is generally denied. (Although you might think someone would always want the newer release, this can involve losing access to prior extras, alternate cuts, different masters, audio tracks, etc.)
Anyway, just thought I'd share this lastest finding from my constant exploration of the digital rights depths...
*BTW, although K isn't "playing along" there is still potential benefit for K consumers as the pre-order listings give a head's up on titles that will be leaving K. We'll have to wait until after Halloween to see the impact as K doesn't carry most of the (horror) titles currently transitioning.
I've noticed a strange new trend in digital licensing that I think is worth calling out. In multiple threads there has been discussion of what can happen to movies when distribution rights change. Generally these changes occur with no warning whatsoever and consumers can feel caught off guard. To be clear, this absolutely still happens and I expect it to continue.
However, I'm seeing new behavior that is specific to Shout!'s acquisition of digital titles:
1. New Shout! version of digital title is put up for pre-order. Current version from prior distributor still available (!).
2. New Shout! version of digital title is released. Prior version from prior distributor STILL available (!!!) for period of time.
3. Prior version removed from digital distribution. Only new Shout! version available.
I first noticed this occurring with the Halloween movies (1,4,5) but am now seeing it with Creepshow, Hellraiser 1 & 2, C.H.U.D., The Initiation, etc. All of these movies are at some stage of this process on other stores. (FYI, although these are all horror titles, I think that has more to do with the season rather than the process.)
Also, it doesn't appear that K is playing along (yet?).* For instance, Hellraiser 1 & 2 hit digital 4K last week on other digital stores you'll find them sitting right alongside the prior HD versions. However, K has already pulled these legacy versions, much like they pulled the Halloween titles upon the new 4K releases.
I have no idea what any of this means. Did transition dates loosen up? Is Shout! simply being more open about distribution changes than other studios? Or, is all of this a happy accident that will soon be corrected? Everything is speculation at this point, but I will say that I do like this as it provides a brief window where a consumer can make a decision that is generally denied. (Although you might think someone would always want the newer release, this can involve losing access to prior extras, alternate cuts, different masters, audio tracks, etc.)
Anyway, just thought I'd share this lastest finding from my constant exploration of the digital rights depths...
*BTW, although K isn't "playing along" there is still potential benefit for K consumers as the pre-order listings give a head's up on titles that will be leaving K. We'll have to wait until after Halloween to see the impact as K doesn't carry most of the (horror) titles currently transitioning.
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