Just received this from Midwest Tapes:
We have recently learned that Warner Home Video will no longer distribute theatrical releases to libraries or home video rental stores until 28 days after they release the movies for sale at retailers. This Warner Home Video policy applies to all public libraries and video rental outlets such as Redbox, Netflix, and Blockbuster. In addition to being released 28 days after the retail version, Warner's rental version DVDs and Blu-rays will not contain bonus features or extras. However, we understand that there will be a significant price reduction for these products, apparently amounting to an average $4 per DVD title and $8 per Blu-ray title. Warner Home Video has announced that it may seek to enforce its new policy by auditing its distribution partners' sales. Additionally, Warner may require retailers, like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, to limit the number of copies of a new release that may be sold to a single customer. Please note that Warner's new policy will only impact titles that have a theatrical release, perhaps amounting to about 12 titles per year. Non-theatrical Warner releases will not be affected by this policy. Below are the first three Warner theatrical titles affected. Note that Warner's rental versions will feature rental artwork. Ralph Tomlinson Audio-visual/reference librarian Adult Services Olathe Public Library 201 E. Park Street Olathe, KS 66061 (913) 971-6850 rtomlin...@olatheks.org First 3 DVDs mentioned in the release are: Crazy Stupid Love, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and The Hangover Part 2. Seems like not that long ago some studios were discussing simultaneous release. Letter-writing campaign, anyone?
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
