US online release for The Interview
December 24, 2014
In addition to a limited theatrical release on December 25th, Sony Pictures is now making controversial comedy movie The Interview available for rental and purchase online for US consumers on YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft Xbox Video and on its own dedicated website www.seetheinterview.com for $5.99. The film can also be purchased in HD for a price of $14.99.
Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment, said in a statement announcing the news:
“It has always been Sony’s intention to have a national platform on which to release this film. With that in mind, we reached out to Google, Microsoft and other partners last Wednesday, December 17th, when it became clear our initial release plans were not possible. We are pleased we can now join with our partners to offer the film nation-wide today.
We never stopped pursuing as wide a release as possible for The Interview. It was essential for our studio to release this movie, especially given the assault upon our business and our employees by those who wanted to stop free speech. We chose the path of digital distribution first so as to reach as many people as possible on opening day, and we continue to seek other partners and platforms to further expand the release.
I want to thank Google and Microsoft for helping make this a reality. This release represents our commitment to our filmmakers and free speech. While we couldn’t have predicted the road this movie travelled to get to this moment, I’m proud our fight was not for nothing and that cyber criminals were not able to silence us.
No doubt the issues we have confronted these last few weeks will not end with this release, but we are gratified to have stood together and confident in our future. I want to thank everyone at Sony Pictures for their dedication and perseverance through what has been an extraordinary and difficult time.”