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UK Cinema chains may boycott Disney's new film, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (HD trailer).
The dispute is over plans by Disney to release the movie on DVD only 12 weeks after its theatrical debut, down from the traditional 17 weeks. This will mean a shorter theatrical run for cinema owners, and some are planning to boycott the film if Disney do not back down.
While studios are fighting with consumers in the area of online video, they are also engaged with a fight against cinemas to bring ahead DVD/Blu-ray release dates. With studios having more control (and more revenue) from home video sales, they have tried again and again to shorten theatrical runs. They also believe this can reduce piracy. According to their figures, 97% of the box office revenue is earned in the first 8 weeks of release.
If cinema owners do not back down, Disney could stand to lose a large amount of the £40m expected to be earned at UK cinemas.
More:
The dispute is over plans by Disney to release the movie on DVD only 12 weeks after its theatrical debut, down from the traditional 17 weeks. This will mean a shorter theatrical run for cinema owners, and some are planning to boycott the film if Disney do not back down.
While studios are fighting with consumers in the area of online video, they are also engaged with a fight against cinemas to bring ahead DVD/Blu-ray release dates. With studios having more control (and more revenue) from home video sales, they have tried again and again to shorten theatrical runs. They also believe this can reduce piracy. According to their figures, 97% of the box office revenue is earned in the first 8 weeks of release.
If cinema owners do not back down, Disney could stand to lose a large amount of the £40m expected to be earned at UK cinemas.
More:
