Abstract:
This research is a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. It aims at studying the possibilities of movie distribution through internet downloading and the impact of movie downloading though the internet in Thailand in order to understand the demand of movie service through the internet as well as its impact upon other distribution channels of the movies. The methodology consist of using questionnaires by accidental sampling from a total of 512 internet users and depth interviews of representative from leading production companies, theater owner, DVD and VCD distributors including high speed internet service provider with interest in this business. The results of the findings are as follows. The demand for movies on the internet of the sample group is at a moderate level. This is due to the fact that most of them are still in the habit of watching movies from the DVD and VCD and they still enjoy going to the movies theaters a great deal. The group displays a high level of watching and downloading music TV dramas and video clip but their purchasing behavior of all the above mentioned entertainment media is very low. Most of them are teenagers and the most suitable service system is online movie viewing system or Streaming. The type of movies that they like most is comedy. As regards the impact that other movie distribution channels, it is found that there is currently no significant impact of movie distribution through the internet downloading. On the contrary, it is regarded as a new distribution channel of the movies which not only expands market but also increase the profit for production companies and distributors. The factors which contribute to the stability of this business are 1) the structure of high-speed internet that general public can access to 2) content provider 3) pricing and the interest value of the movies themselves 4) non piracy. Most movies in this category are oldies and goodies; Direct-to-DVD movies, low budget movies or independent movies. In the future when computer and the internet has become the necessity in peoples live, the movie distribution through internet downloading in Thailand will surely affect the video rentals and DVD VCD distributions.