Warner Bros. extends delay for DVD rentals, streaming
updated 09:35 pm EST, Thu January 5, 2012
Wait period doubled to 56 days
Corroborating earlier reports, Warner Brothers is said to be set to extend the delay time for movie availability through streaming providers or DVD rental outlets. Customers will now have to wait 56 days from the start of DVD sales before titles will arrive through streaming channels or disc rentals, essentially doubling the window from the current period of 28 days.
The company recently voiced its dissatisfaction with current agreements, which are said to leave little incentive for viewers to purchase pricer DVDs rather than renting or streaming the same content.
Despite the extended window that is aimed at both DVDs and streaming releases, rental outlets can sidestep the restriction by purchasing the discs on the open market rather than making quantity purchases directly from the studios. Streaming providers, however, have no way to shorten the window other than direct negotiation for different terms.
Warner Brothers has yet to officially announce the move, though it is expected to be a topic of discussion next week at CES. [via All Things D]
