Amazon Believes VOD Will Boost DVD Sales

SEATTLE — Online giant Amazon.com is getting into the video-on-demand market with the hope that offering the service could boost online DVD sales. Just as adult studios often use streaming content as an incentive to purchase a full-length feature, Amazon is finally getting around to applying the same idea to mainstream content.

The new service, which has reportedly already peaked interest from a number of major and independent studios to provide content, is scheduled to debut sometime in April.

Although spokeswoman Kristin Mariani said the service would launch only with streaming — not downloadable — content, previous announcements by the company dating back as far as October 2005 suggest fully downloadable deals might not be far off.

Characteristics of Amazon’s new “try before you buy” model, according to Mariani, would enable an Amazon customer to stream a film off Amazon.com for a small fee. If, upon viewing the film, the customer decided to purchase the DVD, the fee for the stream would apply to the purchase.

She also said the company was mulling over the possibility that customers who purchased a DVD off the site could stream the film while they were waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

The new VOD plans from Amazon put the company in direct competition with cable company Comcast, which launched a similar campaign more than six months ago with the hope that Comcast customers would want to download films from Comcast prior to buying the DVD version directly from the cabler.

Over the last several months, Amazon has been testing limited VOD offerings of shorter fare, such as bonus features off a DVD or outtakes from the hit television show “Seinfeld.”

No major studio has yet to license full-length movie content to an online retailer, but it’s clear that both Amazon and Comcast are attempting to use the technology as a direct companion to the DVD.

“Everything is being leveraged to sell more DVDs,” Mariani said.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Electric Novelties Debuts New 'Gemsations' Anal Plug Collection

Electric Novelties has introduced its Gemsations line of anal plugs in silicone and metal options.

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

Adam & Eve Reveals Results of 'Happy Ending Dream' Survey

Adam & Eve has released the results of a survey asking respondents if they have ever had a sex dream with a happy ending.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Kheper Releases New 'Drink if... Taboo Version' Party Game

Kheper Games has released its new "Drink if… Taboo Version" party game.

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aneros Debuts 'Eupho Syn V' From 'Vibration Collection'

Aneros has introduced the Eupho Syn V from its Vibration Collection.

Wells Apparel Group Inks Distro Deal With Kix'ies

Wells Apparel Group has signed a deal with Kix’ies, Inc. for distribution throughout 13 states.

Ohdoki Debuts 2 New Strokers

Ohdoki has introduced two new stroker sleeves.

Show More