First-run indie films going on cable (Comcast - like F911)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06061/663388.stm

Traditional movie-going habits took another hit this week, with Comcast Corp. announcing it will make independent films available in customers' homes the same day they are released to theaters.

The announcement marks the latest change in "time shifting" entertainment: Just as consumers use digital video recorders or video iPods to watch television shows whenever they want, they now will be able to view first-run films the same way.

In a deal with IFC Entertainment, Philadelphia-based Comcast said indie films from "IFC in Theaters" will be shown through its "On Demand" service, which stores movies, TV shows and other video for subscribers with digital set-top boxes to watch at any time.

The offerings, priced at $5.99 each, will be launched nationwide on March 22.

<snip>

IFC, which is behind such independent hits as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Boys Don't Cry," and "Fahrenheit 9/11," said it's in talks with other cable operators as well, but declined to name them.

[MADem]

1. Good, it'll level the damn playing field

Those indies only get in major market theaters, so unless the thing takes off like a rocket, the people living out in the boonies never get to see them, until they go to DVD. This way, they'll be able to see them in a much-wider market.

This whole brouhaha about films going straight to TV reminds me of the original angst the film industry had (or in some studios, didn't have) when TV came on the scene, and then, later, went to color.

I HATE movie theaters. HATE THEM. I don't like sitting in a dark room with a bunch of loud strangers, smelling that greasy popcorn, and not being able to stop the film mid-way to go do something else (like take a dump or get a drink) without missing a key plot element. I don't like the hassle of going to the theater, finding a parking place, waiting at the end of the film to leave said parking lot....it's just a major pain in the ass.

Bring it on, I say!!! It's PROGRESS!

[jrw14125]

2. Funny you mention that...

I actually love going to the movies, if it's a good theatre. I went to see Good Night and Good Luck last Saturday. Whoever was behind me was making love to the plastic wrapper on their candy (seriously, from the sound of it he was not eating any of the candy, he just liked playing with the wrapper), and this basically went on for about the 1st hour of the movie, which as you may know, is mostly dialogue. Thanksfully, this person just fell asleep and snored the remaining 30-40 minutes...

BTW, great flick. Even with noisy pastic wrapper guy, it seemed like a 30 minutes movie, I was so drawn into it.