DIGITAL: Comcast slates Jonas Brothers as next offering
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 6/16/2009
JUNE 16 | DIGITAL: Comcast is pushing ahead with 3D video-on-demand,
showing Lionsgate's My Bloody Valentine as its second such offering.
Starting today, people who order the HD version of the title will be
able to see the film in 3D. People also will need to pick up one of
the million pairs of 3D glasses Comcast is making available at its
payment centers and at various shopping mall kiosks.
Pricing for the HD version will vary between $5 to $6. My Bloody
Valentine also will be offered in standard-definition VOD, without the
3D option, for about $1 less. Consumers have 48 hours to view the
title, under a new extended viewing policy just implemented by Comcast
and some studios.
Comcast is presenting the film in 3D anaglyph technology, which is of
lesser quality than what can be seen with state-of-the-art 3D
theatrical films. However, many studios, cable/satellite operators and
consumer electronics manufacturers are trying to create guidelines in
order to develop a high-quality 3D at home business.
Last August, Comcast was the first company to roll out 3D content in
VOD with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment's Hannah Montana: The
Best of Both Worlds. In that case, Comcast included instructions on
how to make 3D glasses at home.
Next in the pipeline from Comcast is a 3D VOD bow of Disney's Jonas
Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. Comcast declined to give
specifics, including exact dates and information about glasses
distribution.
"We're always looking at innovative technologies we can explore and
what will make a good consumer offering," said Comcast spokeswoman
Alana Davis.
