Might 1, 2008: The iTunes Retailer takes a huge step towards cinematic relevancy, promoting new motion pictures on the day of their DVD releases for the very first time.
“We’re thrilled to convey iTunes Retailer prospects new movies for buy day-and-date with the DVD launch,” says Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice chairman of iTunes, in a press launch. “We predict film followers will love having the ability to purchase their favorites from main and impartial studios.”
Films out that week embody Cloverfield, Juno, Alvin and the Chipmunks and American Gangster.
iTunes Retailer legitimizes digital distribution
Syncing iTunes and DVD film releases addressed one of many few issues digital distribution nonetheless confronted when in comparison with bodily media within the early years of the twenty first century. With the delay now a factor of the previous, iTunes offered new motion pictures for $14.99 every. Older catalog titles value $9.99. Initially, the iTunes motion pictures deal solely utilized to america, though it later expanded to different nations.
Whereas it looks as if a footnote in tech historical past in an period the place Netflix, Apple TV+ and different streaming providers have so totally remade the content-distribution course of, on the time it was a giant deal. The iTunes Retailer was solely 5 years previous, having opened its digital doorways in April 2003.
The power to obtain movies by iTunes got here in October 2005 with the launch of iTunes 6.0. At first, Apple provided only a few thousand music movies, Pixar quick movies, and a collection of hit TV reveals for $1.99 every. It later expanded to supply motion pictures.
iTunes film gross sales come of age
With the Might 2008 announcement about day-and-date film releases, the iTunes Retailer caught up with DVDs by way of providing the most recent blockbusters on demand. On the time, YouTube was nonetheless in its infancy, and Netflix was recognized predominantly for mailing out rental DVDs relatively than streaming.
The iTunes Retailer’s huge transfer marked an essential milestone in legitimizing digital distribution. It additionally as soon as once more ensured that Apple existed on the chopping fringe of expertise and tradition.
Within the early 2000s, Apple made a reputation for itself as a video supplier by constructing the place to obtain the most recent film trailers within the highest doable high quality. Having the ability to promise day-and-date film releases on iTunes additional fueled Apple’s Hollywood ambitions.
At present, Apple has gone one step additional. Apple TV+ showcases Apple’s objectives in the case of unique content material. And, simply as Netflix begins to falter within the face of rising competitors, Apple TV+ is approaching sturdy.
What was the primary film you downloaded from iTunes? Depart your feedback under.
