Paramount Pictures and MTV Networks have announced that Jackass 2.5 will be released online – and will be totally free. The movie will be played for free at http://www.blockbuster.jackassworld.com from December 19th – December 31st, where it will only be sold as a DVD. The DVD will be available on boxing day.
This is a very interesting move considering Jackass 2 was a major hit in the movie theaters. This is not like Radiohead sticking it to the record companies either, because this one is planned by the production company.
This move by Paramount shows how badly Hollywood wants a piece of the online revenue stream. They plan to monetize Jackass 2.5 in at least 3 ways:
1. Embedded ads online during the free movie
2. After the free period charge for the movie on amazon and itunes
3. DVD sales
It will be interesting to see the revenue reports later on this venture. There is definitely a huge niche online that wants to see stunts like these. They are often the hottest videos on youtube, break or digg. If this is a success we are sure to see many more motion pictures come out online – as long as the money is right.
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