In addition to being released 28 days after the retail version, Warner’s rental version DVDs and Blu-rays will not contain bonus features or extras. However, we understand that there will be a significant price reduction for these products, apparently amounting to an average $4 per DVD title and $8 per Blu-ray title (see cost breakdown below).
Warner Home Video has announced that it may seek to enforce its new policy by auditing its distribution partners’ sales. Additionally, Warner may require retailers, like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, to limit the number of copies of a new release that may be sold to a single customer.
Please note that Warner’s new policy will only impact titles that have a theatrical release, perhaps amounting to about 12 titles per year. Non-theatrical Warner releases will not be affected by this policy.
Below are the first three Warner theatrical titles affected. Note that Warner’s rental versions will feature rental artwork.
If your library had any of these titles on order previously, Midwest Tape will modify the order and adjust the pricing accordingly. If you do not wish to receive rental versions of these titles, please contact Customer Service at 1.800.875.2785 to cancel your order.
While we recognize this is Warner Home Video’s policy, feel free to contact us at 1.800.875.2785 or info@midwesttapes.com with any questions or concerns regarding this matter. You may also contact Warner Home Video directly at 888.383.9483.
You can also read more at Home Media Magazine: Warner Altering Distribution to Rental Channels?
Cost Breakdown
title | format | former retail street date | former retail SRP | former mwt library price | rental street date | rental SRP | new mwt library price |
Crazy Stupid Love | DVD | 1-Nov | 28.99 | 21.99 | 29-Nov | 22.99 | 17.99 |
Crazy Stupid Love | Blu-ray | 1-Nov | 35.99 | 26.99 | 29-Nov | 24.99 | 18.99 |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 | DVD | 11-Nov | 28.99 | 21.99 | 9-Dec | 22.99 | 17.99 |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 | Blu-ray | 11-Nov | 35.99 | 26.99 | 9-Dec | 24.99 | 18.99 |
Hangover Part 2 | DVD | 6-Dec | 28.99 | 21.99 | 3-Jan | 22.99 | 17.99 |
Hangover Part 2 | Blu-ray | 6-Dec | 35.99 | 26.99 | 3-Jan | 24.99 | 18.99 |
I'm having trouble confirming that this is true. Do you have any proof that this is going to happen to libraries? Thanks. Email me at cholling@cityofmesquite.com.
ReplyDeleteWe received a similar letter from Ingram, but they stated that the prices would be approximately $6 lower for rental DVD and $11 lower for rental Blu-ray. Why is there a discrepancy in the discounts?
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent question.
ReplyDeleteIngram is talking about the difference between rental retail pricing whereas we are discussing actual cost to the library. I've gone ahead and posted a cost breakdown from Warner in a chart above.
Thanks!
Do you know if we can still purchase the retail version and just not have it available until the correct date? Our patrons like the bonus materials, so these are the versions we would like to have in the collection
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, versions of titles with bonus features won't be available until sell through, roughly 6 months later.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the retail versions? May we purchase the retail versions and just not put them out until the correct date? Or do those not have bonus features either?
ReplyDeleteRegarding the retail versions, Warner may require retailers, like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, to limit the number of copies of a new release that may be sold to a single customer.
ReplyDeleteThe retail versions will have bonus features.
The Swiss Army Librarian blog has a good discussion of retail versions going on:
http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2011/10/18/warner-video-restricting-dvd-sales-to-libraries/
The real question is WHY is Warner doing this?
ReplyDeleteIt is true. We order from Baker & Taylor. The version of Crazy, Stupid, Love. that released on Nov. 1 (that I put in a cart weeks ago) now shows "No Library Sales." When you go to search for it now, this version no longer shows up. The only version available now is a Rental Ready version that releases Nov. 29th!
ReplyDelete