Blockbuster + Weinstein = Netflix left-out in the Cold

November 16, 2006

WeinsteinExclusive video game titles are nothing new, we’ve even grown accustom (temporarily at least) to the idea of certain studios not supporting one of the two next-generation DVD formats, but I have to admit this bit of news leaves me a bit dumbfounded.

According to Video Business Online; Blockbuster has entered into an exclusive agreement with the ‘The Weinstein Company’ (Scary Movie 4, Lucky Number Slevin, The Matador, Transamerica etc) that would give Blockbuster exclusive rental rights to up-coming Weinstein titles.

Under the First Sale Doctrine, all rental retailers have the legal right to rent TWC’s titles, but they will have to purchase them from another source and will not have the option of revenue-sharing.

“These titles won’t be available to Netflix, but through [Blockbuster's] 5,000 stores and going online, every customer will be serviced,” Bob Weinstein said during a Wednesday conference call with reporters. “This is why we did the deal.”

I really enjoyed ‘The Matador’ and oddly enough I added it to my Netflix queue based solely on a recommendation from a friend, if this title hadn’t been available through Netflix then I would have missed out on it completely.

I have to say this idea of rental exclusivity is a bit much to swallow, I’ve already made my on-line rental choice in favor of Netflix, I just found Blockbuster online to be to slow for my needs. I have no plans on paying an additional monthly fee just for the right to rent Weinstein titles, it’s a shame really, Weinstein in essence just lost a rental customer, C’est la Vie



Posted by B.Greenway | | Filed Under Commentary


Comments

  • westcott

    You would have to sign a lot of exclusives for this type of marketing to work and that is just not going to happen.

    BlockBuster will be the beneficiary, somewhat, but their poor service is hard to overlook no matter what titles they hold exclusively.

  • westcott

    You would have to sign a lot of exclusives for this type of marketing to work and that is just not going to happen.

    BlockBuster will be the beneficiary, somewhat, but their poor service is hard to overlook no matter what titles they hold exclusively.

  • nathan

    If you read between the lines, it’s not the Netflix can’t carry the Weinstein titles. Rather, Netflix will have to buy them all, rather than do the pay-for-those-rented scheme that they prefer.

    You’ve seen these Netflix branded discs at times, right? They don’t look like a retail DVD. These are the kind that Netflix won’t be able to acquire from Weinstein.

    This is unfortunate for Netflix, and ironic since Blockbuster used to hassle about Mirimax’s content (the Weinstein’s old company). But we Netflix-ers should be okay, so long as Netflix ponies up the extra cash to actually buy the Weinstein titles.

  • nathan

    If you read between the lines, it’s not the Netflix can’t carry the Weinstein titles. Rather, Netflix will have to buy them all, rather than do the pay-for-those-rented scheme that they prefer.

    You’ve seen these Netflix branded discs at times, right? They don’t look like a retail DVD. These are the kind that Netflix won’t be able to acquire from Weinstein.

    This is unfortunate for Netflix, and ironic since Blockbuster used to hassle about Mirimax’s content (the Weinstein’s old company). But we Netflix-ers should be okay, so long as Netflix ponies up the extra cash to actually buy the Weinstein titles.

  • Anonymous

    I subscribe to the “Blockbuster is evil” point of view, but I rarely rent anyway so this probably doesn’t affect me.

    I’m writing more to ask why a current (2006) widescreen film would *ever* be released letterboxed but not anamorphic, which is connected to this story since the DVD in question (“Wordplay”) was distributed by The Weinstein Company. I’ll now be looking with suspicion at any future TWC DVD’s I am thinking of getting. (And pan and scan would be even worse, of course.)

  • mweston

    I subscribe to the “Blockbuster is evil” point of view, but I rarely rent anyway so this probably doesn’t affect me.

    I’m writing more to ask why a current (2006) widescreen film would *ever* be released letterboxed but not anamorphic, which is connected to this story since the DVD in question (“Wordplay”) was distributed by The Weinstein Company. I’ll now be looking with suspicion at any future TWC DVD’s I am thinking of getting. (And pan and scan would be even worse, of course.)

  • B.Greenway

    Hi Nathan,

    You’re right of course but I’m more concerned where this may wind up more so than the immediate implications today. Also taking them at face value and the quote of:

    “These titles won’t be available to Netflix, but through [Blockbuster's] 5,000 stores and going online, every customer will be serviced,” Bob Weinstein said during a Wednesday conference call with reporters. “This is why we did the deal.”

    They are sending somewhat of a mixed signal, “These titles won’t be available to Netflix,” when in reality they mean they will be available but not at the same pricing/accommodation Blockbuster will receive. I just hope this doesn’t compound and become commonplace.

  • B.Greenway

    Hi Nathan,

    You’re right of course but I’m more concerned where this may wind up more so than the immediate implications today. Also taking them at face value and the quote of:

    “These titles won’t be available to Netflix, but through [Blockbuster's] 5,000 stores and going online, every customer will be serviced,” Bob Weinstein said during a Wednesday conference call with reporters. “This is why we did the deal.”

    They are sending somewhat of a mixed signal, “These titles won’t be available to Netflix,” when in reality they mean they will be available but not at the same pricing/accommodation Blockbuster will receive. I just hope this doesn’t compound and become commonplace.

  • james

    I think that blockbuster will beat out netflix with their new plan. where you can return the online rentals to the store and get a free rental from that store. thats double the movies for each plan and you can get them on the day they some out. i went to http://www.blockbuster.com/total and put in the promo code 26219b and got a two week free trial of the service. i dont think im going back to netflix unless they offer something more

  • james

    I think that blockbuster will beat out netflix with their new plan. where you can return the online rentals to the store and get a free rental from that store. thats double the movies for each plan and you can get them on the day they some out. i went to http://www.blockbuster.com/total and put in the promo code 26219b and got a two week free trial of the service. i dont think im going back to netflix unless they offer something more

  • Sameer

    I’m not sure if you guys are aware, but Blockbuster’s new on-line has become a lot better than Netflix. I actually work at Blockbuster, but was subscribed to Netflix for over a year. I made the switch and I haven’t looked back. It seems like Blockbuster is finally coming around. Besides that, I’m getting kind of sick of all this “Blockbuster is evil” nonsense. They are a company in the business of making money, just like Netflix.

  • Sameer

    I’m not sure if you guys are aware, but Blockbuster’s new on-line has become a lot better than Netflix. I actually work at Blockbuster, but was subscribed to Netflix for over a year. I made the switch and I haven’t looked back. It seems like Blockbuster is finally coming around. Besides that, I’m getting kind of sick of all this “Blockbuster is evil” nonsense. They are a company in the business of making money, just like Netflix.

  • juliestylez

    Another area where Blockbuster would benefit is in the games area. I hear they are going to start giving customer to Blockbuster Online, 1 free video game rental each month.

    And I did find a code for a free month of BB online for those looking for it: 1944ta

    I have been using the service for over a month now and really like it, especially with the weather getting colder.

  • juliestylez

    Another area where Blockbuster would benefit is in the games area. I hear they are going to start giving customer to Blockbuster Online, 1 free video game rental each month.

    And I did find a code for a free month of BB online for those looking for it: 1944ta

    I have been using the service for over a month now and really like it, especially with the weather getting colder.