Sales expected to quadruple on move by Hollywood studios.

Stock up now on blank DVD's. And grab that DVD recorder quickly if you are in the market.  Shortages are expected to be enormous!

Okay, I exaggerate. But I am trying to make a point quite loudly!   The movie studios have blown another big one!  Whoever the genius was that came up with this deserves a "Medal of Freedom" to practice his skills in another industry.

To quote the new edict from www.DirectTV.com/ppvexp:

 "Effective April 15, 2008, DVR recordings of PPV movies will be available for 24 hours of unlimited viewing after purchase. Major movie studios have required that satellite and cable providers alike may no longer allow their customers to view these recordings for longer than 24 hours."

Now isn't that absolutely one of the most intelligent moves you have ever seen?  One of two things will happen in homes all over America:  1.  Satellite and cable subscribers with DVRs will buy fewer PPV movies, or 2.  They will record more movies to DVDs to be able to watch them when they are able to.

Let me explain a bit further.  Those of us who travel a lot or are otherwise busy, use our DVRs to time-shift. That is to save television programs and movies so that we may view them at a more convenient time.  And then we erase them to make way for more content.  I do so much of this that I have two HD DVRs.  But here's the point.  I do erase these recordings after viewing.  Sure, I record a few to DVD. But today that tends to be keepsake content.  Tom Brokaw's last evening news broadcast.  The tribute to Peter Jennings.  If I really want a movie after I have viewed it, I will buy a Bluray DVD and add it to my collection.  I have dozens of movies that are still sealed and never opened that I watched on PPV or a movie channel before I decided to purchase.

Prior to the DVR and the DVD, In the past I recorded hundreds of movies and a few shows to VHS tape.  They still languish in a guest bedroom with the vast majority never, ever watched.  But it was my only choice at the time in order to time-shift for later viewing.  (Anybody want to buy a bookcase full of recorded once VHS tapes?)

So, with this new studio edict, I will join countless thousands who will buy fewer PPVs. Unless of course, I should really want to see one and go to the trouble of setting my DVD recorder to put it on a blank DVD.

I have a question:  What in the world does this DVR 24-hour deletion edict actually accomplish to prevent copyright violations or misuse of PPV movies?  So-what if they stay longer on a DVD than 24-hours?  They still don't get recorded to a DVD or other medium.  It is irritating prospective PPV buyers, and causing less purchases.  Does it result in fewer illegal recordings?  Of course not. More, if anything.

It is just stunning how stupid this new policy is.  It boggles the mind that anyone could possibly believe this is in the best interest of anyone, most especially the Hollywood studios that dreamed it up!

Posted at 07:51PM Apr 07, 2008 by David S. Calef in Entertain  |  Comments[0]