Rupert Murdoch is in Beijing. He is assumed to be here in connection with MySpace’s attempt to set up in China, but perhaps the news below is also part of the reason for his visit:
From The Financial Times: “The home entertainment arm of News Corp film studio Twentieth Century Fox will on Monday announce a distribution partnership with China’s biggest legitimate DVD producer, Zoke Culture Group.”
What’s the big deal? the Wall Street Journal says “The studio plans to sell inexpensive, legal DVD editions of its films, hoping these will lure Chinese movie fans away from dodgy counterfeits.”
Fox’s new attitude towards DVD pricing in China comes in the wake of Warner Bros’ recent low price moves: selling 7 yuan DVDs of local sleeper hit Crazy Stone two weeks after theatrical release, and selling a Mandarin-dubbed version of Superman Returns priced at 14 yuan.
- The Financial Times: Fox in DVD distribution deal with China partner
- The Wall Street Journal: Fox to Push Authentic DVDs In China to Fight Piracy
- Danwei: Crazy Stone and piracy
- Danwei: Rupert Murdoch and Wendy in town for a shmooze