NEW YORK In a sign of how the pandemic is remaking Hollywood traditions, AMC Theatres and Universal Studios on Tuesday announced an agreement to shorten the exclusive theatrical window to just 17 days for the studio's films.
The standard window of theatrical exclusivity typically runs about 90 days.
The shortened window only applies to premium video-on-demand which often means digital rentals of $20 not standard on-demand or other home platforms.
The deal repairs a rift between AMC, the world's largest theater chain, and Universal, which is owned by Comcast Corp.
The theatrical experience continues to be the cornerstone of our business," said Donna Langley, chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group.