Careful what you wish for.

That was Blockbuster Inc. Chief Executive John Antioco’s message to Hollywood studios as they feel compelled to experiment with DVD release dates.

They may not like the results.

Here’s what he said on Tuesday during the company’s conference call to discuss fourth quarter financial results:
 ”The big impact to studios is, what impact does it have on sales of key titles?” 

“We do not believe a wholesale flip of the (release) windows makes sense economically for the studios and we believe because of that, it won’t happen.”

“I have mixed emotions…on one hand, I say, ‘Bring it on‘ because I think we need to get the answer to this question, so you know, we’ll know. We don’t believe it’s in the best interest of the company to make that switch.”
    
In an interview with Reuters, Antioco said the move to shrink release windows was being fueled by a Comcast test being conducted in Pittsburgh and Denver.  “This is a test that is a long time in the making,” he said. “The studios had to do it. They had to answer the question. I continue to feel that when they get an answer to the question they are not going to like the answer.”

(Photo: Reuters)