Category: Distribution

Blockbuster tells Hollywood studios it’s preparing for mid-September bankruptcy – LA Times http://bit.ly/cktTTb

Coming as no surprise after losing $1.1 billion in the last few years, and after closing 1000 stores, Blockbuster has been caught between business models: streaming and avoiding the store all together, and the Redbox cheap (and in convenient locations) machines.

Blockbuster post bankruptcy plans on increasing “non-store” revenue (streaming and kiosks).

I guess there’s a role for the store in movie rentals? But when Netflix delivers from a selection approaching 100,000 titles, and the average Blockbuster carries just 5000 titles, how can it really compete?

The studios would likely be protected from any significant losses on payments Blockbuster might owe them at the time it files for bankruptcy under the proposed plan. But they would lose revenue from any stores shut down.

The parties most impacted would be Blockbuster’s junior debt holders and the landlords of leases that would be canceled under the proposed bankruptcy. It remains to be seen whether they would attempt to challenge a plan that left them with a fraction of what they are owed.

After delisting the company is worth only $24 million with a massive debt attached.

RIAA: The DMCA Isn’t Working http://bit.ly/96D0Cg

I just love the insanity that is Carey Sherman of the RIAA who states:

“You cannot monitor all the infringements on the Internet. It’s simply not possible,” says RIAA President Cary Sherman. “We don’t have the ability to search all the places infringing content appears, such as cyberlockers like [file-hosting firm] RapidShare.”

But expects that ISPs can do that which he has just said isn’t possible.  Insanity. Either these people are shameless, shameless liars, or simply totally incompetent. I vote for totally incompetent having grown up on monopoly “rents” they simply cannot adapt to changing circumstances where their role is nearly irrelevant (if there is still a role for Record Companies at all in five years).

As the article concludes:

As it is, the DMCA protects online service providers — especially smaller ones — from living in fear of lawsuits and having to spend money and resources to patrol for infringing material. The most important question, however, is whether private corporations such as ISPs (which can monitor all of your online communication) should really be responsible for figuring out who’s breaking the law.

Red Princess Blues distibutes movie via iTunes App http://bit.ly/a7jzvJ

A long time ago I started a post titled “The future of distribution is an out-of-browser experience” thinking something like apps. This was before iTunes apps were even available. More recently I postulated on how a production could use an App as its central home in a post facetiously titled How do you get Disney to fund your next production that used a combination of iAds for funding and app for video (both pre- and production content) with in-App commerce.

Well, Red Prince Blues have done the distribution side already – see the iTunes App link above. But making an app is challenging for creative filmmakers or TV producers, so maybe we need an Xcode project template like Chris Mayer has provided for publishing a book as an iDevices App.

Five Rules For How To Make Things Go Viral (TCTV) http://tcrn.ch/dp2AVz

There is no guarantee of virality, but there are some approaches that help improve the likelihood that something will go viral and be spread across a wide variety of audiences.

I particularly like number 1 – “Create media for the bored at work”!

The advice is “as expected” but worth remembering.

5 Questions With…Clicker CEO Jim Lanzone http://bit.ly/bk79Db

Jim Lanzone, who, prior to starting “internet television guide” Clicker.com, was CEO of Ask.com and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Redpoint Ventures. Below, he submits the phrase “nanocasting” for approval, sings the praises of the Double Rainbow and explains why using Clicker.com is better than having a brain hemorrhage.

Worried about (possible) loss of iDVD? http://bit.ly/9hiYvg

iDVD – the DVD burning part of iLife is, according to rumors, likely to be dropped from the iLife 11 package supposedly in development. In it’s place an unannounced mystery application.

Just how important is iDVD – well at the bottom of the Apple Blog article linked above, is a survey:

Daily 3.3% (20 votes)

Once a week 4.6% (28 votes)

Once a month 11.2% (68 votes)

Every few months 25.3%(154 votes)

Once a year 27.1% (165 votes)

I’ve never used it. 28.5%(173 votes)

Total of 608 votes at that point.

I wasn’t sure exactly where to place my vote. I’ve used it exactly once in five years. To do a slideshow!