Netflix Idea Toys With Streaming "Big" Movie Same Day As Theater Release

Netflix has been basking in success lately, with its third quarter numbers published last week showing record subscriber numbers, and its original TV shows proving more than able to hold their own against network offerings. Now the company has talked about its latest idea, namely providing subscribers access to a "big" movie the same day it is released in theaters, something that would overhaul the industry's current system.

The idea would basically build upon how Netflix has approached its own series production with Orange is the New Black and House of Cards, only it would pay for the production of a so-called big movie, rather than something smaller and more modest in expenses. This movie would then be released in theaters as with any other big movie, only it would also be made available for streaming on Netflix at the same time, rather than the typical delay that happens between theatrical release and online availability.

Such was the discussion of Netflix's content head Ted Sarandos, who allude to this earlier this month during the company's financial conference call. He has elaborated on what is being envisioned in a speech held by the Film Independent. This move would see Netflix functioning as a first-run distributor, and could result in an overhaul of how Hollywood studios approach movie releases and distribution.

Said Sarandos: "What we're trying to do for TV, the model should extend pretty nicely to movies. Meaning, why not premiere movies on Netflix, the same day they're opening in theaters? And not little movies — there's a lot of ways, and lot of people to do that [already]. Why not big movies? Why not follow the consumers' desire to watch things when they want?"

SOURCE: AllThingsD