Users will have access to about 10,000 movies and TV shows that can be purchased or rented on TiVo Series 2, Series 3 or HD series device. Films on Blockbuster’s OnDemand service will be available for $2 to $4 for rental and purchased movies start at around $10.

Jim Keyes

Blockbuster stores will also sell TiVo DVRs and make them available for purchase online at blockbuster.com. The move gives TiVo a new distribution outlet and makes the brand more visible to consumers. Blockbuster and TiVo have plans to implement a cross-marketing campaign.

"Ultimately, our vision is to work with TiVo so that their subscribers can access movies not only through our OnDemand service but also from our stores and through our by-mail service as well," said Jim Keyes, Blockbuster Chairman and CEO.

"Regardless of a film’s availability – through VOD or on DVD – we want to work with TiVo to provide their subscribers unprecedented access to movie content."

The companies plan on having the Blockbuster OnDemand service integrated into TiVo DVRs in the second part of 2009.
 

At WarnerArchive.com, movie fans can choose from more than 150 classic titles that have never been available on DVD or for digital download. Some of the titles include Academy Award nominee "Sunrise at Campobello," "The Citadel," and "Mr. Lucky."

When a visitor to WarnerArchive.com makes a purchase, a made- to-order DVD will be created with the same quality as a standard pressed DVD. Titles will ship with custom artwork and arrive in about five days. The cost per title is $19.95, plus shipping.

Movie fans can also purchase digital downloads of the classic films to watch on their computers. The cost for digital download is $14.95 per title.

Warner says every month it will add 20 classic films and television programs to the site and at the end of the year 300 titles will be available online.

Warner is also asking classic movie fans for their input on future titles they would like to see in the archive. Fans can vote on the next 20 titles that will be offered in April.

"Whether it’s an Academy Award -winning classic from Hollywood’s Golden Age, a Sci-Fi cult favorite from the ’70s, or a silent rediscovery from the ’20s, the Warner Archive Collection has something for everyone, said George Feltenstein, senior vice president, Theatrical Catalog Marketing, Warner Home Video.

"This unprecedented initiative represents a tremendous effort from Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and is representative of the company’s continued dedication to film preservation."

The films will first be broadcast on ABC as part of the network’s weekly Wonderful World of Disney feature on Saturday nights throughout the summer. The full-length movies will be available for free streaming the week after they air on the network.

Disney’s film lineup includes, "Finding Nemo," "Monsters Inc.," "Haunted Mansion," "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," "Princess Diaries 2," "Freaky Friday," and "Peter Pan."

Disney.com will also stream the Disney Channel Original Movie "Camp Rock" on Monday, June 23, following its television debut. "Camp Rock" online will feature content that will allow viewers to chat and play games while watching the film.

"Streaming full-length films on Disney.com takes our commitment to delivering world-class online entertainment to the next level," said Paul Yanover, executive vice president and managing director, Disney Online.

"This is a wonderful partnership with ABC, and just another example of how Disney’s unmatched, high-quality content can be leveraged on multiple platforms."
 

The report says consumers spent $23 billion on DVD purchases and rental in 2006, compared to $9.5 billion in box office revenue and $982 million for Internet, cable, and satellite on-demand.

"While consumers are viewing filmed entertainment through an increasing variety of devices and services, they remain loyal to DVD," declared Bo Andersen, President of the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA).

"DVD will continue to be the most popular way for the public to view movies for the foreseeable future, and we expect high-definition discs to become the dominant home video format within five years."

The report, citing Adams Media Research, also found that multi-line mass merchants continue to control the DVD sales market, with a 43 percent market share, while consumer electronics retailers have 16 percent of the market and online retailers have 12.5 percent.

In the rental market publicly traded video rental chains account for 42 percent of the market other video stores have 39 percent and online rental services now have a market share of 16 percent.