Simultaneous VoD releases a 'big mistake,' Murdoch says

As high definition TV screens get bigger and movieplex screens get smaller, the only thing to differentiate the home experience from the theater might be the quality of the popcorn. That's at least a partial reason why studios are talking to cable operators about near day-and-date home VoD/theater film releases.

Of course, theater owners think this is a terrible idea--and have said so. Now they have an ally in media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, who said the whole idea would be a "big mistake" and predicted "I don't think you're ever going to see simultaneous release."

Murdoch made the comments to The Wrap after receiving the American Horizon Award and the Media Institute's annual dinner. He declined to elaborate. Murdoch, of course, might have other things to worry about since his News Corp.'s (Nasdaq: NWSA) Fox Networks are embroiled in a down-and-dirty carriage battle with Dish Network (Nasdaq: DISH) . He apparently had nothing to say about that, either.

For more:
- see this story

Related articles:
Murdoch likes retransmission, Apple TV; dislikes economy
News Corp. confirms Fox Mobile Group sale rumors
Pop your own corn: Time Warner mulls premium VoD
Cable threatens the movie theater model