“First we lived in farms, then we lived in cities, and now we’re going to live on the Internet!” – The Social Network
I’m not so much of a purist when it comes to watching movies that I ignore digital distribution, but for those of you who are, get ready for Warner Bros. to deliver yet another nail in the coffin of movie theatre entertainment.
Today news broke that the studio will be the first ever to distribute their films via Facebook, starting with their most lucrative to date: The Dark Knight. Thomas Gewecke, the studio’s President of Digital Distribution cited the move to Facebook being one that “gives consumers a simple, convenient way to access and enjoy our films through the world’s largest social network.” Other select titles will join The Dark Knight to rent or own through their WB Facebook movie profiles starting today. “Liking” the film gives you rental access at $3 for 48 hours, allowing comments and other such Facebook activity while viewing. [/Film]
Personally I’m not skeptical as to whether or not this decision will fly for Warner Bros, Gewecke did mention that Facebook is the world’s largest social network with hundreds of millions of users. Now think of that in addition to the countless people who already watch films digitally via Netflix, Apple TV or any number of internet sources, legal or otherwise. One could argue that the demographic which gets their daily dose of cinema through the web could care less if Facebook offered films or not. If that’s the case, WB will have a problem on their hands. On the other hand, given that a massive amount of time is spent on the website already, it would give those digital movie-goers one less place to look for entertainment. Should the decision prove fruitful, one can only wait and see if other studios will hop on the bandwagon.
Do you think Warner Bros. is smart to distribute via Facebook? Would you watch a full movie on Facebook, and what films would you like to see released?