CABLE SUBSCRIBERS GET MOVIES SAME DAY AS DVD'S -- EXCEPT ...

Subscribers to Cablevision, which primarily serves the New York City area, will be able to watch Universal and Warner Bros. movies via the cable-TV system on the same day they are offered for sale on DVD. But there's a catch. They'll also have to buy the DVD. Cablevision has partnered with Popcorn Home Entertainment in the deal, which requires customers to sign up via the Internet. They can then order movies via Cablevision's video-on-demand service using the remotes on their TV sets, watch the movie via the cable system, and receive the DVD a few days later. Ordinarily movies are not available on video-on-demand systems until 30-45 days after their release on DVD.

04/02/2008