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Universal Pictures becomes first major studio to break 90-day home-video embargo for theatrical releases

March 16, 2020

by Carla Hay

A scene from “Trolls World Tour” (Photo courtesy of DreamWorks Animation)

The coronavirus pandemic has drastically shifted how movies are going to be released from now on. On March 16, 2020, Universal Pictures announced that it’s releasing the DreamWorks Animation sequel “Trolls World Tour” on VOD (video on demand) on April 10, 2020, the same day it plans to release the movie in the shrinking number of U.S. theaters that are staying open in April 2020. This decision is unprecedented because major movie chains such as AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas have fought against movies being released on video or streaming services within 90 days of their release in movie theaters, and these corporate-owned movie theaters have refused to carry movies that have this type of release schedule.

Universal also announced that for its movies released on video the same day that they’re released in theaters, there will be a 48-hour VOD rental period at a suggested retail price of $19.99 in the U.S. and the price equivalent in international markets.

Now that cinema giant Regal is out of commission until further notice (Regal announced that it’s temporarily closing all of its U.S. theaters, as of March 17, 2020), it was only a matter of time before a major movie studio took the bold step to release one of its movies on video on the same day it will be released in cinemas. (Independent film studios have been doing this for years.) Universal had been considering this release strategy for some of its movies in the 2010s, but Universal didn’t follow through with this plan because the corporate movie chains threatened to boycott the studio. That was then. This is now.

“Trolls World Tour,” the first sequel to 2016’s “Trolls,” will include returning voice actors Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake and James Corden. New cast members in “Trolls World Tour” include Rachel Bloom, Ozzy Osbourne, George Clinton, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Rockwell, Icona Pop, Jamie Dornan, Anderson .Paak, J Balvin and Kenan Thompson.

Universal also announced that its movies that are currently in theaters (“The Hunt,” “The Invisible Man” and Focus Features’ “Emma”) will be available on VOD as early as March 20, 2020.

NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell commented in a statement: “Universal Pictures has a broad and diverse range of movies with 2020 being no exception. Rather than delaying these films or releasing them into a challenged distribution landscape, we wanted to provide an option for people to view these titles in the home that is both accessible and affordable. We hope and believe that people will still go to the movies in theaters where available, but we understand that for people in different areas of the world that is increasingly becoming less possible.”

A press release from NBCUniversal (the parent company of Universal Pictures) stated: “Given the rapidly evolving and unprecedented changes to consumers’ daily lives during this difficult time, the company felt that now was the right time to provide this option in the home as well as in theaters. NBCUniversal will continue to evaluate the environment as conditions evolve and will determine the best distribution strategy in each market when the current unique situation changes.”

Rolling Stones renew Universal Music Group deal; more Eagle Rock home videos announced

July 9, 2018

by Carla Hay

The Rolling Stones and Universal Music Group (UMG) have renewed their partnership that covers the band’s recorded music, audio-visual catalogues, archival support, global merchandising and brand management, according to an announcement made by UMG. The Rolling Stones have been signed to UMG since 2008. The company has been consistent about releasing reissued or archival Stones content every year. For example, in June 2018, UMG released the Rolling Stones reissue box set “The Studio Albums Vinyl Collection 1971-2016.”

UMG-owned Bravado will continue to handle the Rolling Stones’ global merchandising rights, retail licensing, brand management and e-commerce on behalf of the band. Bravado will also continue working closely with the band and management to “identify new and innovative opportunities for creative collaboration within the worlds of art, fashion, retail, sport, lifestyle and touring merchandise. Recent examples of those collaborations are the Rolling Stones’ merchandising deals with Paris Saint Germain FC, Colette, Selfridges and Zara.

In addition, UMG will “provide the Rolling Stones with archival support and dedicated space for the band’s physical media assets, musical instruments and equipment across the company’s ecosystem of vaults positioned around the world,” according to the announcement.

UMG-owned Eagle Rock Entertainment will also re-issue several concert films from the Rolling Stones’ archives including: “Atlanta” (1989); “Steel Wheels” (1989-90); “Voodoo Lounge” (1994); “Bridges to Babylon” (1997-1998); “Four Flicks” (2002) and “Bigger Bang” (2005-2006).

On July 13, 2018, Eagle Rock releases the Rolling Stones home video “From the Vault: No Security—San Jose 1999.” The concert was filmed in April 1999 at the San Jose Arena (now known as the SAP Center) in California, as part of the the band’s “No Security” tour. Over the course of the 20 songs performed in the home video, fans will get to see extended jams of songs such as “Out of Control,” “Midnight Rambler” and “It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll (But I Like It).”

During the Rolling Stones’ 1997-1998 “Bridges to Babylon” tour, they walked on a bridge in the middle of the crowd, midway through the concerts, to perform on a smaller stage in the round at the center of the venue. The “No Security” tour continued that concept, and it’s clear the band enjoyed giving high-fives and and reaching out to fans in the audience as they made their way to and from the more intimate stage to perform a trio of songs: “Route 66,” “Get Off of My Cloud,” and “Midnight Rambler,” one of the highlights of the Rolling Stones’ blues-loving musical roots.

By the 1990s, the Rolling Stones—lead singer Mick Jagger, guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood and drummer Charlie Watts—had become a well-oiled corporate touring machine, but it’s clear that, then and now, they love performing and haven’t lost their high level of energy and ability to massively entertain an audience. Their are moments of spontaneity in this concert, such as when guitarist Richards impishly took over from Chuck Leavell to play keyboards during the last part of “Honky Tonk Women.” Jagger played guitar on “Some Girls” (which featured reworked lyrics that are less controversial than the original song lyrics), “Saint of Me” and “Respectable.”

The show also includes crowd-pleasing hits that have become staples at Stones concerts, such as “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Honky Tonk Women, “Paint It Black,” “Start Me Up,” “Brown Sugar” and “Sympathy for the Devil.” Other songs included in the concert are “Bitch,” “You Got Me Rocking,” “I Got the Blues,” and Richards singing lead on “You Got the Silver” and “Before They Make Me Run.”

Nearly 20 years after this concert was filmed, the Rolling Stones are still one of the world’s biggest touring acts. (The band wrapped up the “No Filter” tour of Europe on July 8, 2018.) And although the Rolling Stones have not released a studio album of new songs since 2005’s “A Bigger Bang” (and it’s unknown when they will release an album of new songs), this renewed deal with UMG is a clear sign that there will be a steady stream of other Rolling Stones content and merchandise for years to come.

Rolling Stones ‘Sticky Fingers’ 2015 Los Angeles concert gets home-video release

August 3, 2017

"The Rolling Stones' From The Vault: Sticky Fingers: Live At The Fonda Theatre 2015" (Photo courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment) — “The Rolling Stones’ From The Vault: Sticky Fingers: Live At The Fonda Theatre 2015” (Photo courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment)

The following is a press release from Eagle Rock Entertainment:

On September 29, 2017, Eagle Rock Entertainment will unveil The Rolling Stones’ From The Vault: Sticky Fingers: Live At The Fonda Theatre 2015 on DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD, DVD+3LP, and digital formats [MSRP $21.98 DVD+CD, $26.98 Blu-ray+CD, $49.98 DVD+3LP] This is the fifth release “From The Vault”, a series of live concerts from The Rolling Stones archive which are being officially released for the first time.

This latest addition to the acclaimed “From The Vault” series captures a truly unique event in the storied history of The Rolling Stones. On May 20, 2015 at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, California, the band performed the entire Sticky Fingers album live in concert for the first (and so far only time) in their career. The show celebrated the reissue of the Sticky Fingers album and was the opening night of The Rolling Stones’ North American Zip Code Tour that would run over the next two months. The intimate setting of the Fonda Theatre was in contrast to the huge stadiums in which the band would perform for the rest of the tour and made this an incredibly special occasion for those fans lucky enough to get a ticket. This incredible release includes Stones classics like “Brown Sugar”, “Wild Horses”, “Start Me Up”, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, “Bitch”, “Dead Flowers”, “When The Whip Comes Down”, and more.

The DVD & Blu-ray include interviews with the band members intercut with full-length performances. The CD and 3LP feature the full show as performed on the night. As Bonus Features, the DVD & Blu-ray include tracks cut from the concert film: “All Down The Line”, “When The Whip Comes Down”, and “I Can’t Turn You Loose”.

From The Vault: Sticky Fingers Live At The Fonda Theatre 2015 is a full-blooded interpretation of one of The Rolling Stones’ most loved works. Combined with the bonus interviews, it proves an incredible experience for any Stones fan.

Pre-order on Amazon:
DVD+CD: http://amzn.to/2vwjCEe
Blu-ray+CD: http://amzn.to/2u45yNH
DVD+3LP: http://amzn.to/2v1XQ85

TRACK LISTING:
DVD:
1) Start Me Up
2) Sway
3) Dead Flowers
4) Wild Horses
5) Sister Morphine
6) You Gotta Move
7) Bitch
8) Can’t You Hear Me Knocking
9) I Got The Blues
10) Moonlight Mile
11) Brown Sugar
12) Rock Me Baby
13) Jumpin’ Jack Flash

Bonus tracks:
1) All Down The Line
2) When The Whip Comes Down
3) I Can’t Turn You Loose

CD:
1) Start Me Up
2) When The Whip Comes Down
3) All Down The Line
4) Sway
5) Dead Flowers
6) Wild Horses
7) Sister Morphine
8) You Gotta Move
9) Bitch
10) Can’t You Hear Me Knocking
11) I Got The BlueS
12) Moonlight Mile
13) Brown Sugar
14) Rock Me Baby
15) Jumpin’ Jack Flash
16) I Can’t Turn You Loose

3LP
Side A:
1) Start Me Up
2) When The Whip Comes Down
3) All Down The Line

Side B:
1) Sway
2) Dead Flowers
3) Wild Horses

Side C:
1) Sister Morphine
2) You Gotta Move
3) Bitch

Side D:
1) Can’t You Hear Me Knocking
2) I Got The Blues

Side E:
1) Moonlight Mile
2) Brown Sugar

Side F:
1) Rock Me Baby
2) Jumpin’ Jack Flash
3) I Can’t Turn You Loose