Film studio Universal Pictures will make its current films available on demand as the coronavirus disrupts the global theater marketplace.
Universal Pictures announced that it will offer its current films on demand amidst the coronavirus outbreak. Films that are currently playing in theaters, including The Invisible Man, The Hunt and Emma, will be available to rent on demand services such as Comcast, Sky, Apple and Amazon on Friday.
These films will be available to customers for rent for $19.99 per film for 48 hours.
DreamWorks Animation's Trolls World Tour will also be available on demand starting April 10, its scheduled release in North American theaters.
According to a statement by Universal, the studio made its films available on demand now because of the "current circumstances," which have "made it more challenging to view our films."
The studio said: "Given the rapidly evolving and unprecedented changes to consumers' daily lives during this difficult time, the company felt that now was the right time to provide this option in the home as well as in theaters."
"NBCUniversal will continue to evaluate the environment as conditions evolve and will determine the best distribution strategy in each market when the current unique situation changes," it added.
NBCUniversal chief executive officer (CEO) Jeff Shell, said that rather than delaying these films or "releasing them into a challenged distribution landscape," the studio wanted to provide "an option for people to view these titles in the home that is both accessible and affordable."
He pointed out: "We hope and believe that people will still go to the movies in theaters where available, but we understand that for people in different areas of the world that is increasingly becoming less possible."
In other news, Disney said that the release of Mulan, the live-action remake of the 1998 animated film of the same title, will be moved out of an abundance of caution against the coronavirus outbreak.
