Are the onboard films as new as they used to be?

ISTR that when I first flew on Virgin all those years ago that the films were more recent. E.g. on the way back from the US you would get films that were on at the cinema out there. This doesn't seem to be the case as much now, with older films showing instead.

Am I imagining this or not?






Thread split by mod... Nick

[HighFlyer]

ISTR that when I first flew on Virgin all those years ago that the films were more recent. E.g. on the way back from the US you would get films that were on at the cinema out there. This doesn't seem to be the case as much now, with older films showing instead.

Am I imagining this or not?

No, i thought the same.

Years back, i would swear that airlines screened films that were not yet out in the UK, IIRC they were the recent US cinema releases!

[Nottingham Nick]

I agree, but I think it is becasue the movie industry has changed.

It seemed that years ago, there were months between the US release for a blockbuster and its European debut.

Nowadays, with the advent of dodgy DVDs and bittorrents, they have to almost simultaneously release them worldwide, if they are going to make any money.

I do think they could make more use of the back catalogue, and show more old clasics.

Nick

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
I agree, but I think it is becasue the movie industry has changed.

It seemed that years ago, there were months between the US release for a blockbuster and its European debut.

Nick's dead right. Also the different types of rights have also increased. Back in the 70s there were only Theatrical, Airline and Free TV (and a few minor ones) now the studios have to cater for Theatrical, VOD, PayPerView, Airline, DVD/Video, PayTV and FreeTV (and I've probably missed a few). Basically it all means very compressed rights windows.

Incidentally I believe the airline rights are based on the theatrical window in the country of the airline so US based airliners should have slightly newer titles - although in practice I am not sure this is strictly adhered to anymore.

Phil

I would agree, but is that not the case now then? I am sure I have seen films particularly on the return flight that have not made the UK cinema yet.

But, don't forget that a lot more films are going for simultaneous release in the US/UK that before to help stop piracy. Look at Pink Panther which was simulataneous or close.

Paul

Reposted due to Nick's splitting of topics (but he's 'nick'ed' everything I had to say anyway
:D)

I tend to agree I've seen many flims on VS well before they hit the UK.

I know Disney are working on simultaneous release on UK/US Cinema along with same day release onto a home media, such as DVD. This will totally change movie watching.
Some, will still pay and go for the theatre experience, others will buy the home media. But I think it is a good idea and one that should stop casual piracy and buying from 'car boots'.

Paul