- Breaking a very long tradition, Paramount Pictures (VIA -2.8%, VIAB -3%) has gotten two theater chains to agree to a shortened theatrical window for a pair of films coming out this fall.
- Just 17 days after the films (Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension and Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse) leave the theaters -- run by AMC Theatres (AMC -1.2%) and Cineplex Entertainment (OTCPK:CPXGF) -- they'll be available on home entertainment platforms.
- Considering genre films like these two low-budget horror films often last just a month in theatrical exhibition, that means viewers could see them at home just six weeks after they open in theaters, vs. the traditional (and contentious) 90-day window. Exhibitors have stuck to their guns on 90 days, in order to protect in-theater viewing.
- To get the deal, Paramount is offering the chains a percentage of digital revenue through the 90 days after release. Technically, once the number of screens showing the films drops below 300, the 17-day clock will begin to tick.
- It's an experiment for now, but depending on which other chains Paramount can get to show the films under the new terms, it may catch on for bigger releases.