Warner shrinks gap between DVD and XBL releases

via Computer and Video Games


Warner Brothers has confirmed that it will significantly shorten the time periods between DVD releases and movie appearances on Xbox Live, in an effort against pirate copies being readily available on the internet.

Until recently, a 90-day window separated the release of Warner Bros. films on DVD and the arrival on video-on-demand services such as Live, Sky Box Office, Virgin Media and BT Vision.

The film studio broke precedent with The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, however, by releasing the film on VoD services just a day after it hit shelves on disc.

Another Warner Bros. film, Beowulf, will arrive on Xbox Live and other services 14 days after its retail street date.

In a further move to counter piracy, Warner is planning to release DVDs that include a rights-protected copy which can be transferred to PC and mobile devices.

The first such disc will be Will Smith's I Am Legend, released on April 21.