The Interview Still 3 - H 2014
Ed AraquelThe Interview‘s digital rollout continues. Just a day after Netflix said it would start streaming Sony’s controversial comedy, Sony’s own streaming service, Crackle, finally announced that it would distribute The Interview as well.
Crackle is the first ad-supported VOD player to stream the film, which Sony has made available through various digital outlets, starting on Dec. 24. Then, it was only available on a handful of platforms (including YouTube Movies, Google Play, Microsoft’s Xbox Video and Sony’s dedicated website seetheinterview.com) for rent or purchase. Apple’s iTunes began allowing its users to buy and rent the film a few days later. It subsequently became available on cable VOD and via Sony PlayStation.
Netflix and Crackle were long rumored as possible destinations for the film about the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with many wondering why Sony didn’t release the film via its own streaming platform as part of the film’s initial digital release.
“At Crackle, we always try to push the envelope when it comes to our own original programming and we’re happy to say the same for our licensed content,” Crackle GM and executive vp digital networks at Sony Pictures Television, Eric Berger, said in a statement. “We are proud to be the first to distribute the film directly to consumers in the ad-supported window.”
The film, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, has so far racked up $40 million in digital sales, Sony said on Tuesday.
