Re: @ge: I still don't see the problem
I like what you write, btw. But to your later points, if you think the big media business model is outmoded, then PLEASE suggest one that will recoup a $100MM investment in a film in a reasonable amount of time, that does not involve pay per play. I have talked to business school professors that are dealing with JUST that problem, and they can't find a way frankly. And they _are_ trying to see how it could work.
I know what "cheap" movies look like - go watch some bad, older Bollywood, or Korean cinema. Or Eastern European (non-porn). It SUCKS, frankly. Not worth my time, and once you are used to better, not yours either.
What every business school professor that has studied it, that I have talked to or read, says is the same - get used to that type of "decontented" movie if studios cannot make money. Because they will not be paying the big bucks to the big stars, they will use cheaper talent. Because they will not invest in the special effects, nor the music production, nor the post-production....too expensive.
I'm not saying it is right...just that no one has an answer to that problem. Right now the effect of piracy is limited, because few people can afford a Synology 1812+ NAS, 8 x 3T drives, with a fibre connection, etc. to make it a real threat. But storage is getting cheaper all the time, and fibre is now common.
I KNOW I will get downvoted for this, but all I am doing is presenting the facts of the economics. Given the above, I can see why they want it...better business models would help, but not sure anyone has an answer.