No Sign of Apple's Promised 1,000 iTunes Movie Rentals

[BoulderBum]

Doh! Apple seems to be getting most of the new releases I expect them to, but this is discouraging news!


http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142989-c,convergencedevices/article.html

No Sign of Apple's Promised 1,000 iTunes Movie Rentals
Apple said it would have 1,000 movie rentals available by end of Februrary, but the reality misses that mark.

According to Apple's January 15th Apple Premieres iTunes Movie Rentals With All Major Film Studios press release:

iTunes Movie Rentals launches today and will offer over 1,000 titles by the end of February, including over 100 titles in stunning high definition video with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound which users can rent directly from their widescreen TV using Apple TV.

As it's the last day of this long February, let's see how that's going.

On my Apple TV I examined the All HD area and found that Apple's close to the promise of 100 HD movies. The total as of the morning of February 29th is 91 HD movies. Note, however, that not all are offered with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound.

Choose All Movies on your Apple TV and you'll find 351 titles for rent.

[dsl4c]

im kinda bummed out about this too, I love itunes movie rentals, and find it awesome to be able to watch a movie when im bored, or nothing interesting on broadcast tv.. but, i've already watched everything in the store that suites my tastes, and nothing new is really trickling in, granted; a new movie here, there, maybe a few at a time.. but not much of a selection is really there yet.. im disappointed to say the least..

[Chris Blount]

I agree. They really need to keep expanding as much as possible. One of the reasons why I got the ATV was so I have an alternative source of movies in case nothing in my own collection appeals to me at any given time. I have even been thinking about reducing my NetFlix subscription to a lower level (1 or 2 movies out at a time).

Come on Apple. Let's get this thing going!

[digduggler]

This really does blow. They aren't even at 50% of what they promised (more like 41%).

I hate using Unbox, but there's about 10x the selection right now...

[slate1]

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=443247

It's quite disappointing - especially given the fact that they missed the original deadline for the update as well. Makes you wonder how much Apple is really behind the whole AppleTV thing. They sure seem to be taking a "we'll get around to it" attitude with it.

[iJesus]

Seriously, Netflix is probably the best thing right now.

Apple does not have the best selection of movies.

I can't tell you how many times I've gone into iTunes ready to rent a movie. What happens? I look at all of them and say to myself, "that's lame, there's nothing good."

[aross99]

Is this really an Apple issue, or one with the movie studios? I think Apple puts up movies as soon as they can get them. I bet it is the movie studios who are holding back.

With the success Apple has in the Music store (#2 in the US), I think they are concerned with them duplicating that success with movies.

We have already seen this with DRM free music @ Amazon and with and TV shows from NBC/Universal.

I think the Studio's are the issue, not Apple...

[benlee]

Is this really an Apple issue, or one with the movie studios? I think Apple puts up movies as soon as they can get them. I bet it is the movie studios who are holding back.

With the success Apple has in the Music store (#2 in the US), I think they are concerned with them duplicating that success with movies.

We have already seen this with DRM free music @ Amazon and with and TV shows from NBC/Universal.

I think the Studio's are the issue, not Apple...

I agree. However, it seems like they would have had some time of contract in place that must have indicated to Apple it would have 1000 by now. or Jobs said things that he HOPED.
Apple needs to go head first in this before others beat them to it. Apple may be asking too much or the studios are.

Come on Corps. just give the consumers what they want and you will get paid!

[slate1]

some sign of progress...:)

[megfilmworks]

Seriously, Netflix is probably the best thing right now.

Sure is,
I love waiting weeks to receive a scratched DVD of a new release.

[Scarpad]

Sure is,
I love waiting weeks to receive a scratched DVD of a new release.


Especially for Hi Def New releases thou Netflix says they are tripling the amount they stock, I still think getting new Blu Ray releases will be hard

[Stampyhead]

With the success Apple has in the Music store (#2 in the US), I think they are concerned with them duplicating that success with movies.

Wouldn't you think this would make them line up to have their media distributed via iTunes? No, only the idiots running the record companies/movie studios would see this as bad news...

[BoulderBum]

Wouldn't you think this would make them line up to have their media distributed via iTunes? No, only the idiots running the record companies/movie studios would see this as bad news...

I agree. However, I'm of the opinion that one of the reasons the music industry lost so much revenue to illegal downloads is because they were slow to embrace the internet and give people a legal alternative.

The movie industry has some of the same fears of lost revenue and digital distribution, but if they're smart, I think they need to try to find a way to embrace the internet and still make money instead of trying to find a way to delay the inevitable shift to movie downloads. So far, the movie industry has been pretty clueless in this regard, introducing annoying restrictions, limiting selection and not working hard enough to deliver HD content through downloads.

That said, I don't rest on any dismissal that if Apple TV doesn't have good enough selection it's all the movie industry's fault. As far as I'm concerned, if Apple wants to be successful, they have to succeed at influencing the movie industry and if they fail to do so, Apple needs to take part of the blame.

[jaw04005]

Especially for Hi Def New releases thou Netflix says they are tripling the amount they stock, I still think getting new Blu Ray releases will be hard

Netflix is getting too slow. I've had Blu-ray titles that have been at the top of my queue for five weeks now.

[pedz]

I think BoulderRun said it perfectly. The movie industry needs to realize this is a repeat of the music industry evolution. It amazes me that they think they can stop it.

I also agree that Apple has to take part of the blame, don't announce this new amazing updated box with all the studios (and imply it will be better than existing offerings), and promise 1000+ rentals if you cannot deliver. People bought the box based on his pitch (though I already had one so can't make that argument myself).

Peter

[BornAgainMac]

Perhaps Apple should start up iMovie and make their own full feature films. :rolleyes:

[hueyproductions]

just got my appleTV in the mail today and was hoping to make it my consistent choice for movie night. Now it looks like heading back to the video store...

[benlee]

The Movie Industries are ridiculous. They are controlled by a bunch of greedy and stubborn conservatives that don't want to embrace the future and Apple is controlled by people who realize the potential and want a lot of money in return for bringing a wonderful and innovative user experience to medium consumption.

[ibrainch]

American Gangster
We Own the Night
Rendition
Beowulf
The Darjeeling Limited
Across the Universe
Elizabeth: The Golden Age

My biggest issue is not that all these movies (just a quick sampling of new releases) aren't there right now, but how about a "Coming Soon" section with real dates on when we can expect these movies. I mean at least run this thing like a real video store! Without knowing if and when Apple TV will get these movies, I am forced to just rent from the local video store. The irony is that I am more than willing to pay the $5 for HD rentals, but the movies seem to arrive too haphazardly. The current "Coming Soon" section on iTunes is an embarrassment (there is nothing there) - I really want this to work and I can't believe Apple would be so sloppy about this. It's almost like they want me to use Apple TV for handbraked movies from the video store... ridiculous.

[BoulderBum]

American Gangster
We Own the Night
Rendition
Beowulf
The Darjeeling Limited
Across the Universe
Elizabeth: The Golden Age


To be fair, Apple said that new releases would make their way to Apple TV up to 30 days after they hit the shelves, and these aren't passed the deadline.

That said, what I find a little unsettling is that you can buy Beowulf on Amazon.com Unbox right now! Jobs made it sound from his keynote that Apple was going to be the market leader in digital downloaded movies. Right now, I dare say they're behind the game.

Can Apple be sued for false advertising for what they claimed in the keynote? I bought the Apple TV hoping for the selection of 1000 movies by the end of February. I will still like the unit if it gets all the new releases 30 days after they hit the shelves, but I'm starting to wonder if that will be a broken promise the way things are going.

[John.B]

Choose All Movies on your Apple TV and you'll find 351 titles for rent.
The thread title implies there are *no* movies for rent. Obviously they didn't meet their target (and when you make claims in a big keynote like that you should be held accountable IMO), but its not like there aren't *any* rental movies on iTunes or the :apple:tv.

[BoulderBum]

but its not like there aren't *any* rental movies on iTunes or the :apple:tv.

The problem for me is that there are plenty of devices out there that support rentals from the internet. Tivo with Amazon unbox, Media Center Extenders with Vongo, XBox 360 with the Live marketplace.

The problem with all the devices is that the process is inconvenient and, more importantly, the selection is crap.

I bought the Apple TV hoping that it would be the device to end that. Jobs proclaimed "we have every major studio" and "all the first run movies will be available" and "we'll have 1000 movies by the end of February". So far, the Apple TV falls into the category of crap selection.

I'm willing to give Apple the benefit of the doubt for now, but I admit that I'm a little uncomfortable with the way things have gone the past month. We'll see how things go in March.

[Cave Man]

Looks like the blame lay with the studios trying to get licensing permission before Apple can post movies.

[digduggler]

Looks like the blame lay with the studios trying to get licensing permission before Apple can post movies.

That doesn't explain the huge gap between Apple and Unbox. It shouldn't affect just one vendor and not the other.

[toddngina]

Apparently from the shareholders meeting:

"- Jobs stated he is "not happy about" the fact that they were unable to meet the 1000 movies on iTunes goal by the end of February. Jobs blamed the delay on movie studios getting the necessary approvals from various rights holders of each film."

I'm glad to see that Jobs is recognizing that there is a problem and that they did not meet a promised milestone. That being said, I think he needs to be more careful on promising things that he's not sure he can bring to fruition. Hopefully they'll get this sorted out soon, so ATV will be a real competitor in this area, and I can justify buying one when I get back from my deployment! Hopefully I'm not wasting time encoding movies with Handbrake during some of my downtime here.;)

[Cave Man]

That doesn't explain the huge gap between Apple and Unbox. It shouldn't affect just one vendor and not the other.

Sure it does. The studios don't hold exclusive rights to their movies, thus they have to get permission from every entity that owns a share of every movie.

[digduggler]

Sure it does. The studios don't hold exclusive rights to their movies, thus they have to get permission from every entity that owns a share of every movie.

With the same terms, same pricing on the product there isn't a compelling reason there should be a lot of permission/licensing going on (as it's already drawn up) for movies already on Unbox unless one vendor (Unbox) has much more favorable terms than the other. The agreements should already be in place in principle.

Right now it's a blanket statement by Jobs assigning blame. He has in the past been known to overstate or oversimplify.

[Cave Man]

You know, I don't draw up contracts on movies, but I suspect that when the Unbox contracts were signed there were provisions in each contract. New company (Apple) and you need new contracts. I doubt there is some blanket agreement between all interested parties.

So, either Jobs is yanking our chains or he's telling the truth. Either way, we don't have the movies yet.

[mac2thefuture]

When are movies coming to the UK ??

[Dunk the Lunk]

When are movies coming to the UK ??

I know!! am really looking forward to being able to get some full length movies - surely the disney/pixar movies (with their now healthy relationship) should be on it asap?

[megfilmworks]

98 HD movies as of today.

[John.B]

Sure it does. The studios don't hold exclusive rights to their movies, thus they have to get permission from every entity that owns a share of every movie.
'Zactly. This is what's known as "The Beatles Problem" in the digital music business. If one rightsholder doesn't sign off, the deal falls through. (Thanks again, Yoko, you caterwauling b****! But I'm not bitter or anything...) ;)

The worst part for our British and Canadian friends is that those deals will likely all be separate negotiations.

[billabong]

I could be wrong, but I think they have surpassed the 100 barrier with the HD movies! I counted about 113 or so...

[Cave Man]

Yes, they did pass 100 HD movies. But the majority of them don't have Dolby Digital 5.1. Kind of like kissin' your sister, ya know?

[chuckles:)]

I think were passed the 500 mark...

[MikieMikie]

Yes, they did pass 100 HD movies. But the majority of them don't have Dolby Digital 5.1. Kind of like kissin' your sister, ya know?

Hey, what's wrong with my sister? Our kids think their mom is swell.

[BoulderBum]

The "Just Added" list exploded today. Apple is coming along.

I noticed that "No Country for Old Men" is available for purchase in the iTunes store, which means it came at the same time as the DVD release! I hope I'll be able to rent that one soon, though. It doesn't have that option yet.

[slate1]

485 total...:rolleyes:

...still love the device though.

[MattG]

The "Just Added" list exploded today. Apple is coming along.

I noticed that "No Country for Old Men" is available for purchase in the iTunes store, which means it came at the same time as the DVD release! I hope I'll be able to rent that one soon, though. It doesn't have that option yet.

Yeah, I was all excited because I knew it came out today, and I'm flying back to FL tomorrow...was hoping to rent it and watch it on the plane. Oh well.

[Cave Man]

Hey, what's wrong with my sister? Our kids think their mom is swell.

You must be a redneck boy, since rednecks go to family reunions to pick up chicks. :)

[ob81]

Yes, they did pass 100 HD movies. But the majority of them don't have Dolby Digital 5.1. Kind of like kissin' your sister, ya know?

Actually, I don't know.

[BoulderBum]

Yeah, I was all excited because I knew it came out today, and I'm flying back to FL tomorrow...was hoping to rent it and watch it on the plane. Oh well.

If it's any consolation, I noticed iTunes came out with Futurama season 1. It looks like you're a fellow fan.

[leekohler]

Guys- we should all relax about this. Obviously, it's going to take a bit of time. I think we'll see more happening in the next few months. These things are always tricky.

[Tennesotans]

I was just updating my netflix queue... after letting it languish for two months. Of the 50 movies in my queue... 7 were on iTunes for rental (and another was available for purchase). I found that surprising given we only have 500+ movies at this point. I also looked at the top 100 videos for rental (I forget the site) and found about 20% were on iTunes as well. Its a start.

[mallbritton]

Guys- we should all relax about this. Obviously, it's going to take a bit of time. I think we'll see more happening in the next few months. These things are always tricky.

Wise words.

Just because Apple didn't hit 1000 rentals exactly when they said they would is not the end of the world, or the end of :apple:TV.

Now if they said they would ship Mac OS X 10.6 (bigcatnamehere) and missed that date without announcing a delay, that would be big news. Look what happened with 10.5. But this rental thing is just a tempest in a teapot.

Regards,
Michael

[Cave Man]

Well, it looks like there are now over 150 HD movies for rent. How's the non-DVD selection going? Closer to 1,000?

[randyharris]

I was just looking at http://www.appletvjunkie.com/ and they show we are up to 217 HD movies and a total of 702 rentals available. I don't know if they are double counting HD offerings if an SD option is available or not.

It's nice to see the library increasing.

[BoulderBum]

Yes, I've been pretty satisfied with the Apple TV selection of late. All the new releases that I worried about not being on Apple TV showed up, though sometimes more than a month after the DVD release (No Country for Old Men, Enchanted, etc.).

The one they don't have now, but should, is Sweeny Todd, though given the history of the other late releases, I now have little doubt that it will make its way to Apple TV, it might just be a little late.