News from Washington- the MPAA filed with the FCC to encourage the approval of technology that would allow Hollywood studios to transmit theatrical films directly to consumers hi-def before their video or broadcast windows begins. Called Selective Output Control (SOC), this would compete with piracy but would supplement or undercut theatrical runs depending on your viewpoint. A take on this seems to be that this will destroy the theatrical system and put exhibitors out of business.

I’m not one to defend the MPAA, but this seems a little silly in a number of ways. For one thing, theatrical viewing of films has proved time and again to be an unmatched way of reaching an audience who will pay for the experience. You may reach far more actual eyeballs on TV screens, but the value proposition is different- and it’s not because one thing is generally 90-120 minutes long and the other is shorter (films play on TV too, I hear). Theatrical may need to become more robust and interactive, but people actually do want to go out and be with other people, even with amazing flat screen 3D HD TVs in their house and lots of bittorrents to choose from. The already-declining DVD business is more in danger here, it seems.

Also, it seems to me that trying to stop a new technology, via regulation or approbation, is doomed to failure. If something comes along that people want, it’s a lot more likely you’ll have success giving it to them than trying to figure out how to withhold it.

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