SAN DIEGO, CALIF.: Sony is providing one of its animated film features to its consumer electronics customers before the films go into DVD release, the company said today. Owners of Sony Bravia HDTV sets and the company’s Blu-ray Disc players will be able to rent Sony’s “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” four weeks before it becomes available to rent on DVD, beginning Dec. 8.
The offer applies to people who buy a Bravia or a Blu-ray player and current owners who register between now and Jan. 4. The movie will be made available for 24-hour rental in hi-def for free to folks who buy new devices, and for $24.95 for current owners with Internet-connected devices.
The animated feature was released in theaters Sept. 18 and has done $170 million at the box office so far.
Sony has pulled similar promos previously, offering a pre-DVD release of “Hancock” in late 2008 for $10. The DVD release of “Meatballs” is scheduled for Jan. 5.
