It is ‘common knowledge’ that video on demand (VOD, for its acronym in English) and ‘streaming’ platforms continue to settle more and more in our homes, but where does the debate about distribution times come from? It is necessary to look back to better understand why so much debate. The distribution window system was implemented in 80’s years as a measure for a film not to compete against itself in more than one medium. This system is what we know as traditional distribution model and despite being in force, the trend indicates that it is already a reality that less and less time passes from when a movie is released until it can be seen on one of these platforms or that, even, the premiere is simultaneous in both media.
According to Disney, 95% of movie theater tickets are sold during the first six weeks after the premiere, so it would be absurd to wait between four months and two years to go to the next window. And there is also another point of controversy: there is no quality / price competitiveness. Users no longer need the cinema experience because good televisions and sound systems are at their fingertips. That is why most choose to watch content from home, being able to choose from a wide range of options (which movie theaters sometimes don’t provide) and paying the same per month as for a ticket, popcorn and a drink in any movie theater. Can the traditional model really compete with streaming and VOD platforms?
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