NitrateVille.com

I have always hard a hard time both understanding who is keeping classic film titles in limbo (Paramount
catalog, for example)--and why the bean-counters feel it is more profitable NOT to show or make available,
older movies.

The audience for old films is a diminishing one, as the 1970's and 1980's era are now "old" films to most people. I would think that while there still some audience for pre-1960 titles, and the ability to pass this knowledge to students or children and grandchildren, the studios would want these films available.

The recent article I have linked to indicates the Disney conglomerate is locking away a lot of the classic
Fox titles, and is intent on keeping them away from the public. More bad news. Can anyone explain what the financial "sense" is in doing this?

https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/disney- ... ket-newtab

Maybe this is old-world socialism bleeding through, but I have always felt that for certain things the law should contain a "use it or lose it clause". And art in the wider sense would be one of those things. This would be a thumping good topic for a debating club!

The same article is discussed in this thread over here. The conclusion seems to be that Disney is doing this because it can - because it now owns the rights to a formidable chunk of popular culture, and they don't intend to let us forget it.

It's possible that this flexing of muscle is setting us up for a relaxing of same in the future to give the impression that they have caved to popular demand - but you can bet that it will be either illusory or more limited than it appears. Now that so many new streaming services are opening, content is king.