Hot on the heels of the MPAA's petition for waiver of the selectable output controls order by the FCC comes… movie theater owners? (PDF)
Right. They're worried that streaming feature films direct to homes sooner than ever (but still one to two months after an exclusive theater release) could spell “the destruction of neighborhood movie theaters across the country” and “have a devastating effect on… consumers of motion pictures”. Them's fightin' words, Billy Joe!
On June 17, the National Association of Theatre Owners (note the fancy “theatre” spelling, and please do not confuse with the other NATO) filed a request for an extension of time to respond to the MPAA's petition. The FCC allowed 20 days for a response, as is required by regulation.
But NATO has their hackles up because they had previously asked the MPAA for an extra 25 days to work things out in private like ladies and gents — and got shot down. Not real sporting of the MPAA, considering that this kind of arrangement is fairly de rigeur as you never know when you might need such a favor in return.
On the one hand, talk about stabbing your erstwhile friend in the back. We can see where the MPAA is going with this. Movie theaters, old and busted. Cable and internet providers, BFF.
On the other hand, what's next? Corn farmers losing their jobs? Such is the price pace of progress.