Disney To Alter It's DVD Sales Format

May 5, 2009 | by Disney Dreaming

The Walt Disney Company will now be distributing two different types of DVDs, rather than the standard DVD we see in stores today. Disney will release a “Premium” DVD to retail outlets. This Premium DVD will include special features, whereas the “Rental” DVD, which will be released to our local Blockbusters and Netflix, will not.

This tactic is an attempt by Disney to boost the sales of its DVDs in stores rather than have the majority of people renting Disney DVDs, which is what is happening today in our economy. The new Premium/Rental DVDs will be released in June 2009. One of the first movies this will happen to is Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. The Premium DVD version of Jonas Brothers will include features like deleted scenes, commentary from Nick, Joe and Kevin and some extra behind-the-scenes footage – none of which will be included in the Rental DVD version. Although, Disney has offered to allow Blockbuster, Netflix and other movie rental companies to purchase the Premium DVDs for their users for an additional price. The upcoming Jonas Brothers Premium DVD will cost $39.99 whereas the Rental DVD will cost $29.99.

But don’t be mad at Disney for this, they weren’t the first company to come up with this idea. Blame the Fox television/movie network who stated about doing the same thing, “For rental customers, we’re delivering a theatrical experience in the home while promoting upcoming releases; for retail customers, we’re offering a premium product that expands the entertainment experience of that particular property to further enhance ownership.”