Fox Encourages DVD Purchase by Removing Extras

Video Business is reporting that Fox is removing DVD extras from rental DVDs to encourage purchasing instead of renting.

Starting with March 31 releases Marley & Me and Best Picture Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire, wholesalers will be “authorized to sell rental accounts only the rental SKUs and to sell retail accounts only the retail SKUs,” according to a letter sent to accounts by Fox senior VP of sales Don Jeffries and obtained by VB. Fox will impose the same restrictions on direct accounts, according to the letter. 

The rental DVD of Slumdog, for instance, carries only the movie and trailers, but the retail DVD also has special features including deleted scenes and commentaries. The rental Blu-ray Disc does have the bonus features, but the retail Blu-ray adds digital copy. 

There are variations by title, however. Marley & Me, for example, has special features on both the retail and rental DVDs. The Marley Blu-ray also carries bonus features, but the retail Blu-ray is a combo pack with a DVD movie and digital copy.

Thanks to Michael and Mike for sending this in.

Comments

[BoB]

I don't understand their logic. I see a movie because I WANT TO SEE THE MOVIE!!! If I LIKE the movie and want it, I will buy the disc. If I just want to see the movie. I rent it. IF I like it, I will buy a copy. I will not buy a movie to WATCH just because of the extras. If the movie sux, then I would not buy it anyway, regardless of the extras. If a rental movie sux, I don't watch the extras.

What does this accomplish them to have to produce 2 different versions of the same movie?! Are they trying to prevent piracy? Then that's a "fail" as most pirated copies have the extras ripped anyways!

[Colin G]

I sometimes watch the extras, but I don't care enough to go out and buy a DVD. If anything I will be less interested in renting OR BUYING Fox movies and shows because of their shenanigans.

[dAVe]

It figures that FOX would go out of their way to squeeze the life of out of something they get their damn, dirty ape hands around. I can hear it now in the boardroom...
"Hey, guys, listen up. Let's spend a little extra money to split the digial production authoring to make TWO versions of our DVD title offerings. The DVDbyMail people having been getting way, Way, WAY to much value for their entertainment dollars."

[MCW]

I Sometimes watch Extras. Usually after a 2 hr. movie, I am done with it, I never want to see that crap again, but in the case of something like The Rocker, I said, let me see if the bloopers are any good. They weren't very good, but I was just looking for a good laugh that the movie failed to give me.

The only way I'll watch extras is if I want to know "how they did that" or if there is a blooper reel. Otherwise, extras are usually unnecessary.

[Hidden Valley Rancher]

I always watch the extras.

It's the main incentive for me vs. the Watch Instantly option (AV quality aside).

I would be very, very upset if Netflix was forced to ship only stripped down DVD's with no extra features.

It wouldn't encourage me to buy more movies, that's for sure. It would just reduce the value of what I have, and therefore, what I'd be willing to pay for Netflix.

I am very, very opposed to this notion. This kind of greediness stinks.

It definitely would encourage me to backlash against FOX if they pulled this nonsense.

How about the studios fix their business model first, hmm?

[C Nyze]

Okay what they don't understand is that the people who care enough about Extras to go out and buy the DVD since their rental doesn't have the Extras would have bought the DVD in the first place. The majority of the movie watching population could careless about Extras!

[FredFredrickson]

Clearly pointless. I never watch the extras anyway- but this just makes me want fox dvds less.

[Var]

Not to be outdone, Sony has decided to not include the endings of movies on their specially pressed rental DVDs. "If those deadbeats who can't be bothered to pay $20 to watch You Don't Mess With The Zohan, then they don't need the see the entire movie," says one executive.

Disturbed by the trend that people are continuing to rent and not buy, Warner Bros. has decided to utilze "cam technology" for rental DVD pressings. Those who rent, rather than buy, their movies will be treated to shakey, dark, flickering, low-resolution versions of movies shot with a hand-held phone camera.

[BoB]

Yep, you nailed it Var! That's what all us sorry renters will be getting next. To hell with all the rental revenue the studios get - they'll screw us anyway!!!

[slhumph]

I agree with BoB. I buy a movie if I like it and figure on watching it a few more times. If I really like a movie I'll even buy subsequent 'premium' releases just to get that extra thirty seconds of footage, "never before seen!" But since I've been a Netflix member I have not purchased a movie before viewing. The only thing that Fox' decision does is to make me less likely to purchase one of their DVDs (if I want to watch it again, It'll just go on the end of my queue) just because they're being such a-wipes. I wonder what the actors, directors, writers, etc. think about this plan and Fox' apparent willingness to treat us, the movie viewing public who rent, like we were some sort of paraih.

[A Movie A Day]

During the past year I have seen Fox and Lionsgate have full screen rated versions of their titles, but on the unrated versions have widescreen only or dual formats (Lionsgate also puts an Dolby EX soundtrack on their unrated or two disc versions). It comes as no surprise that Fox is doing this upcoming "Zero Tolerance For Renters" policy. But of course we'll probably still have the trailers for other Fox Flix on the DVD for sure. And remember, when the renters start burning down video stores because of the new policy, give me a call, I'll bring the marshmallows.

[Paul from CT]

Since the value is going down for a rental dvd. does that mean that my netflix monthly fee will go down too? only makes sense. if all studios head down this path , I am getting less product for my money. Hey, I dont mind the move, i dont care about extras, but if a lesser product is on the shelf , then it should be priced accordingly.

[Todd]

Who could possibly care about extras on Marley and Me?

[thattherepaul]

With their "balanced" right-wing propaganda news network, treating consumers like they're stupid is nothing new at Fox. But pissing on your customers doesn't usually lead to long-term profits. Their decision to strip off extra features from rental DVDs is not only needlessly irritating, degrading their own product and further corroding the already damaged Fox brand, it ultimately will drive customers away towards other companies that treat them better, just as Blockbuster's missteps have driven consumers into Netflix's waiting arms. If the results of this poll -- as of now, only 6 out 582 voters (1%) state they'd willingly buy a DVD just for the extras -- are any indication, I think for each customer buying Fox DVDs, many more might go out of their way to NOT buy them, just out of spite, anger, or annoyance. A pox on Fox! Boycott them until they're snuck out of the headquarters in a wheelchair just like Dick Cheney on his last day!

[yeswor00]

I don't have anything to add, but I agree with the sentiments here. The is a VERY BAD IDEA.

[asdf]

Cool. I rent the movie to see the movie.

I say, "don't stop there, please cut the traliers out as well! Netflix already promotes your movies good enough!"

thanks fox

[asdf]

why do people buy movies? I know people that own hundreds of dvds they've only watched once. Thousands of dollars wasted just sitting there, because, "I might want to watch toy story again!"

I mean wouldn't you rather go on vacation or something? Shit with a few thousand I would go live in south east asia and live like a king for a few months, bangin out hot european women.

I got side-tracked...anyway are teh extras really worth that amount of money? I mean unless the dvd comes packaged with $15 inside I don't understand.

[Pusta]

Fox should look at this a different way, especially in this economy. Instead of trying to screw the rental people, how about offering two different versions of the DVD for SALE? One at a reduced cost which does not include the extras, and one at regular price which includes the extras?

[A Movie A Day]

Pusta, we're already facing $19.99 regular one disc movie only titles that have the trailer and a making of doc and (usually) $24.99 two disc titles with bonus materials and/or a digital copy.

And we already rent titles due to the "I want to watch this DVD and what's on it but I really don't want to buy it" factor.

If people rent the movie only version and like it so much that they want to add the film to their collections, why don't Fox provide five dollar coupons when a renter rents one of those selected titles, and then decides to buy it at a retail store.

That way everybody wins.

But looking back at this, doesn't it seem a little strange and too convienient that this news comes on the day that Watchmen was released at theatres?

Think about it...

[Jeremy]

If Netflix agrees and takes these DVD's I will drop their service faster then a bad habit. Netflix and Fox again caring more about their bottom line then their customers. I will gladly buy the movie then give into corporate bullying.

[ja]

It seems like Netflix probably wouldn't have a choice if the supplier is limiting what they'll sell.
Jeremy - would you prefer that Netflix buy what is made available or boycot the entire studio?

[Exflix]

The thing you're missing here is that Netflix is not bound by any law to purchase rental-only copies. Yes, it would cost them more per disc, but if they wanted to, they could just buy the retail version (as they've been forced to do with Weinstein titles in the past). The doctrine of first sale means you can buy a retail copy of a movie and rent it or sell it if you want. Then Fox might see the error of its ways if they end up wasting manufacturing costs on rental copies that never get purchased by rental stores.

[Hidden Valley Rancher]

One other point - if there are no real extras on the rental DVD's, only on the retail versions - FOX should be aware that instead of spurring DVD sales, all they'll do instead if encourage more people to download the movies via BitTorrent instead.

A BitTorrent rip looks and sounds every bit as as good as one from a physical DVD.

The only notable down-side is the lack of extras on most DVD ripped files.

If they drop the extras anyway - what's the reason to pay to rent it? Might as well just download.

FOX may be being especially stupid on this point, as I think it will actually increase piracy, rather than sales.

The smarter thing to do is to include other, value-added intangible extras to the full releases, ones that aren't on the disc itself, to encourage sales.

For example - box artwork aside, there' the program guide booklets. But, they could also include one-use coupon codes for extra downloads that are one-use and tied to a unique code for that specific DVD disc instance. Or they could add some sweeteners into the packaging, like bonus discs (a la Best Buy).

In short - FOX is being boneheaded.

They'll just lose sales this way.

[ZeroCorpse]

This seems like old news. For months now, Netflix has been sending me "grey label" DVDs that are clearly meant for rental-only. They haven't got everything you'd find on a retail DVD.

I don't have a problem with it. I rent movies, not extras. Maybe it's because I'm used to the VHS days when "extras" didn't exist, or maybe it's because I find most extras to be disc-filler, or maybe it's because I'm more interested in the story and prefer not to spoil the suspension of disbelief by watching "behind the scenes" videos.

Whatever the case, the option to buy the disc with all the bells and whistles is out there. If you want to see all the behind the scenes junk, documentaries, blooper reels, and easter eggs, then pop for the $15 DVD when it's newly-released and on sale.

Of course FOX is being stupid, but this time I don't see it as much of a bother for my viewing habits.

[ZeroCorpse]

@ Jeremy:

Canceling Netflix and buying the movie retail IS giving in to corporate bullying. You'd be doing exactly what FOX wants you to do.

Renting is what sticks it to them. Dropping Netflix would make FOX happy.

[Finngall]

I mostly watch the extras, but the lack of them will not affect my buying/renting decisions in the slightest. Typical corporatethink.

[Scribe1964]

"why do people buy movies? I know people that own hundreds of dvds they've only watched once. Thousands of dollars wasted just sitting there, because, "I might want to watch toy story again!""

I know a few people who buy movies they've never even seen! A couple of them have collections numbering in the hundreds. I've actually had people let me borrow a movie they own which they haven't seen yet.

[Bluejedi]

fox is being a bonehead. I think by doing this they will only be hurting themselves in the end.

I agree with ZeroCorpse that by canceling netfilx and out right buying the movie is what fox is hoping we do.

I will still borrow my movies from my local public library, netflix and Redbox. If I like the movie and I honestly like it, I will buy it. I only own maybe 50 DVD's. I could buy them every week like some people do, but why should when I can save money (and space!!!) by keeping my Netflix account, which in the end gives me access to just about every movie every made?

Special features or not, I am NOT going to buy a movie just because of special features. I'm very picky already with what movies I do buy and thanks to you Fox, I'm going to be even picker about what movies I buy from Fox!! Long live netflix is all I can say.

[Capital T]

Aren't they already doing this with bonus discs? It has been my experience that any movie with extra features that are actually worth watching have them on a bonus disc that you don't get when rent anyway.

[Donuts]

I think that this is a good idea, because it reduces the value of making copies of rental DVDs.

Also, I almost never watch the extras anyway.

[Del]

I don't care about the extra's and I am certainly not going to buy a DVD just to watch them.

[dcs315]

I watch 95% of the extras that come on the discs I rent. I care about commentaries, Behind the Scenes interviews, and less about deleted scenes and especially less about most blooper reels.

I am disappointed by Fox's stand on this.

But my main determination in order to buy a movie is whether or not I like it. I've not bought movies that I've loved because I felt there weren't enough extras for the price or just because the price was still too high. So above all it's about the movie.

[moviemeh]

When I saw the headline "Fox Encourages DVD Purchase by Removing Extras," I thought I was going to read a story about how they were going to make inexpensive versions of purchasable DVD's for those of us who rarely have time to watch extras.

[david]

Ok, I've just watched a fox movie, there are 100000 movies on netflix, so I'm not going to watch the movie for another year, easily. but to see the extras, even a 16 months from now, I have to buy the DVD and put it on my shelf at home for those 16 months...

awesome plan.

[Jim K]

While I often watch the extras and would miss them, I can see Fox's reasoning behind this. However, I rarely buy DVDs and most extras wouldn't be an incentive for me to do so. Personally, I don't see the Fox proposal as changing the way I rent or buy DVDs.

[Var]

Losing the extras could become more desirable to me if the rental version of the DVD allowed them to fill the entire DVD with the movie itself with far less compression.

Probably won't be the case at all though.

[zim]

If the rental guys could sell the rental SKUs to consumers = win

I'd rather buy the naked movie version of a single anyway. I'm sure millions of us are regulars to downloading the rip minus the extras long before the movie is available at retail also.

This could be a quick inroad to bluray for some people looking to pay less for their movies. Just buy the feature presentation and ignore the ads and documentary garbage that no one watches anyway.

Really I'd only be for this if the rental SKU was available for sale through the rental outfit... skip the ads AND skip wal*mart? win.

[jccalhoun]

I'm with ZeroCorpse. I've been getting dvds with gray covers on them from netflix for a while. I don't remember ever buying a dvd with a bland cover like that.

[Babsy]

I also fall under the "sometimes watch DVD extras" category. I'm extremely disappointed in Fox for coming up with such a silly way to sell more DVD's. As many commenters before me have already pointed out, I wouldn't feel any more inclined to purchase a DVD just for the extras. I have to admit, however, that I also rarely buy DVD's. I actually watch most of my movies in the theaters and only buy a DVD if I'm convinced that the movie is worth watching more than 2 times.

[Old Timer Too]

Most of the time, I don't care about the extras, but in certain cases, like Whale Rider, the extras provided some nice background information that we all enjoyed.

When I purchase a film on DVD, I almost never go for the two-disc set. I don't know if I have ever watched any of the extras on the 007 films, for instance. I am like others, I rent and buy to watch the film.

Now, if they would get rid of the annoying disclaimers and FBI "warnings" on the purchased discs, I'd really be happy.