14 DAY TRIAL // Remember that Apple was in talks with more Hollywood studios to get the rights to distribute their movies on iTunes? Well, just in time for 2007's Macworld and the launch of the Apple TV, the Cupertino-based company struck a deal. This time, it's a really big one!
So... what's the link between "War of the Worlds", "Crocodile Dundee", "Wayne's World" and "King Kong"? Still didn't figure that out? What if I add that we're talking about the longest-lived American movie studio that ever existed, that will be one century old in 2012? Yes, you got it, it's Paramount!
Paramount Pictures Corporation, now owned by the media conglomerate Viacom, is the first one to sign with Apple a deal in order to get its movies distributed via the iTunes Online Store. Initially, this deal should be covering Paramount's back catalog, making available titles such as "Forrest Gump", "Mission: Impossible" or "The Truman Show", each to be sold for 9.99$.
Some may consider this a small move, but I see it like the drop that may start a new storm. Just think about the fact that Viacom came under attack last year from the press, and the reason was its "lack of digital vision". Now, that "problem" is gone, and Paramount proved they live in the 21st Century, teaming up with one of the visionaries of the world, Apple.
While this event may give a new meaning to the slogan used by Apple to guide the way to Macworld, "The first 30 years were only the beginning. Welcome to 2007", this could be a good occasion for other Hollywood studios to follow Paramount's example and make their products available on iTunes.
"Welcome to 2007, Hollywood!"