Yahoo will debut Weinstein Co. biopic “One Chance” for free on Sept. 30 on its video-streaming service — a full 10 days before the movie hits theaters Oct. 10, as the studio hopes to generate coin from digital viewers in addition to specialty box office.
“One Chance” tells the true story of Paul Potts, an amateur opera singer who was crowned the winner of the first season of Simon Cowell’s “Britain’s Got Talent” competition show.
Financial terms of the unusual Yahoo-Weinstein deal for “One Chance” were not disclosed. Yahoo will serve both pre-roll and mid-roll video ads in the movie. In addition, the Internet media company expects to drive viewers to the Yahoo Screen destination through the pact, with the idea that they’ll find other content to watch.
The free premiere of the movie on Yahoo has “allowed us to adapt and expand our reach to limitless audiences,” Weinstein Co. COO and president David Glasser said when pact was announced this summer. “In today’s digital era, technology has developed and changed the landscape of how many people watch movies and TV,” the exec added.
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Theater owners, however, are displeased with Weinstein Co.’s decision to bring the movie to Yahoo prior to cinemas. “A strong window serves both ends of the market,” National Association of Theatre Owners rep Patrick Corcoran told Variety. He said the trade group’s members would prefer that studios stick to a 90-day theatrical window before releasing titles via other distribution platforms.
Weinstein Co. originally skedded “One Chance” for U.S. theatrical release Feb. 7, before moving it to March 14 and then Aug. 29. Film has its festival premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.
“One Chance” stars James Corden and Julie Walters; David Frankel (“The Devil Wears Prada”) directed. Produced by Mike Menchell, Simon Cowell, Brad Weston and Kris Tjykier, with executive producers Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein and Steve Whitney.
SEE ALSO: The Weinstein Co. to Debut ‘One Chance’ on Yahoo Before It Hits Theaters