There was a time when people could only watch movies in giant cinemas. Then came VHS and DVD and affordable big screen high-definition televisions for your home viewing pleasure. Now, if Sony Pictures Television has its way, you’ll be able to stream a movie to your cellphone anytime you want — well actually, make that anytime Sony wants.
Sony is teaming up with AT&T to offer hit movies on select cellphones, USA Today reports. You’d think that’d be great right? However, there are a few important caveats: First, the movies will only be films that have already been broadcast on television (meaning older films). Second, only the new LG Vu and Samsung Access phones will be able to obtain the movies (at least for now). Third, the movies will have periodic advertisements and yet won’t be free (Sony has not yet set a price for what will likely be an add-on subscription). Fourth, and perhaps most perplexing, the titles will be played in a loop and won’t be available on demand!
It’s one thing to know a television show is on a certain time and set aside time to watch that (if even necessary, as more and more people have digital video recorders now). It’s another to schedule your life around content on your mobile phone.
Apple, of course, is another player bringing movies to your cellphone. Its approach centers around its iTunes store — you currently cannot rent or purchase video content right to the iPhone.
There is also quite a bit of debate as to whether or not a film should actually be watched on a cellphone with a tiny screen. Director David Lynch (Mulholland Drive, The Elephant Man) has some strong opinions on this topic.
Sony films on the select AT&T phones is scheduled to launch in May.
Also check out our piece from last month on another Hollywood movie studio, Paramount, missing the point on spreading some of its content over the Internet.
