Within a week of each other, both Amazon and Apple launch movie download services. And internet consumers yawned. Just what we need, a service where I can pay the same (or more!) to download a lower quality movie.

The Movie industry is just following (slowly) in the footsteps of the Recording industry, trying to not make the same mistakes. I think one of the mistakes that the MPAA is trying to avoid is the pricing issue that the RIAA is having with Apple. Steve Jobs suckered the RIAA when it launched ITMS at $0.99 a sound. The RIAA REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY wants to move to a tiered pricing model, with most tracks costing $1.29. But Apple has the leverage there and isn’t budging. The movie pricing from Apple is already tiered ($14.99 for new releases, $9.99 for older movies) and is already pretty pricey (when compared to purchasing the equivalent DVD).

I wish somebody in the MPAA would take a chance on trying something different, like getting rid of release windows. While you won’t find me paying for over-priced lower-quality movies from either Apple or Amazon, I would consider shelling out $15 to purchase a movie that is currently in the theater. I would probably even pay $10 just to rent the movie, since it is still cheaper (and quite often more enjoyable) than Margaret and I driving to movie theater. Do you hear me Apple and Amazon? Announce something like this and watch the buzz spread.

Tags: amazon, apple, internet, itv, movies, rant, unboxed // // 0 Comments Trackbacks ()