Warner’s Tests Video-on-Demand Movie Release in Korea Prior to DVD Release

In a move aimed at taking full advantage of Korea's extraordinary digital infrastructure, Warner Bros. this week announced plans to become the first Hollywood studio to make movies available through video-on-demand two weeks before the DVD release in Korea. Thomas Gewecke, president, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution made the announcement.

"Korea is the ideal market for us to expand our digital distribution strategy,” says Gewecke. “There is already a broad base of consumers who are immersed in technology and very comfortable getting movies through video-on-demand or similar services, and I am proud of the team that made it possible for us to be the first U.S. studio to offer this service to fans of Warner Bros. movies in Korea.”  

Warner plans to launch a test in Korea in the coming weeks, making new release titles available through video-on-demand two weeks before the DVD release. Specific titles will be announced as they become available.

"More than 94 percent of the households in South Korea have broadband connections,” says Henry Cho, director, South Korea Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “This new service is just one of the ways Warner Bros. is offering more convenience and choices that fit people’s lifestyles.”

The effort is also seen as part of the studio’s efforts to compete with piracy.

"According to the Korean Film Council, more than 47 percent of people surveyed said they had downloaded movies from the Internet at least once," says Harrison Lee, managing director, Warner Home Video Korea. "This combined with an advanced digital infrastructure makes Korea the perfect market for us to test this service since many Korean consumers are already in the habit of getting their movies digitally.”