People who buy that equipment will be able to watch the movie in any 24-hour window from Dec. 8 until it is released on DVD and Blu-ray disc on Jan. 5.<\/p>\n
Sony’s move highlights the way that movies are increasingly becoming available on TVs that connect directly to the Internet as the entertainment industry strives to come up with new business models.<\/p>\n
Amazon.com Inc. and Blockbuster Inc. offer movies for rental or purchase on certain Internet-connected TVs, while Netflix Inc. will make its streaming catalog available to its subscribers with Sony Bravia TVs.<\/p>\n
Those services, however, don’t provide the early-release jump Sony is trying with “Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs,” which comes from the Sony Pictures movie studio.<\/p>\n
“What we’re doing is game-changing for TV,” said Robert Jacobs, senior business development manager for Sony Electronics Inc.<\/p>\n
Existing owners of Internet-connected Bravia TVs will have to pay $24.95 for the early rental, which will stream in 720p – a lower resolution than full high-definition 1080p on Blu-ray discs.<\/p>\n
Viewers will be able to fast-forward, rewind and pause but not record the movie.<\/p>\n
Last year, Sony streamed “Hancock” to Bravia TV owners for two weeks before its home video release. The promotion created a “halo effect” helping electronics sales and the movie’s DVD purchases and rentals, Jacobs said.<\/p>\n
For now Sony’s focus is on TVs and Blu-ray players, although the early home-release window eventually could come to owners of PlayStation 3 video game consoles, he said.<\/p>\n