Paramount, MTV Take New Jackass Movie Online

Jackass 2.5 to Debut on Internet, Move to DVD, Blockbuster’s Movielink, iTunes, Amazon.com

By Glen Dickson -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/13/2007 9:55:00 AM

Viacom unit Paramount Pictures will premiere the latest installment of MTV Networks’ Jackass movie franchise on the Web instead of making a traditional release in movie theaters.

The new movie, Jackass 2.5, is aimed squarely at a young, Internet-savvy audience, and as such, beginning Dec. 19 through Dec. 31it will be streamed online free-of-charge, with some commercials, at a dedicated Web site, via Microsoft’s new Silverlight media player.

Paramount said Jackass 2.5 will be the first movie backed by a major studio to be streamed in its entirety on the Web.

Beginning Dec. 26, Paramount will also offer Jackass 2.5 on a pay basis, through both conventional DVDs and online downloads-to-own on Blockbuster’s Movielink service, Apple’s iTunes and Amazon.com. Beginning Jan. 1, the movie will also be available for download-to-rent exclusively at Movielink. MTV Networks will also launch a new Web site relating to the movie in February.

“There’s no better franchise than Jackass to launch our new media division,” said David Gale, executive vice president of new media for MTV Networks’ Music Group, in a statement. “With Jackass 2.5 and, soon, jackassworld.com, we’re giving fans cool, viral content that’s perfect for the digital space.”

“We are very excited to be able to deliver Jackass 2.5, the first feature-length movie from a major studio which will debut free on the Internet,” added Thomas Lesinski, president of Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment, in a statement. “The Jackass movie is the first of several feature films that we plan on distributing online and, as the digital world evolves, Paramount will continue to turn digital distribution of content on its head.”