Hold-Back
From ForcaWiki, the simple encyclopedia
| In one sentence | A contract rule that stops a distributor from releasing a movie in a certain way until a specific time has passed. |
|---|---|
| Category | Film and Television |
| Related | Release Window, Windowing |
Imagine promising a friend they can be the very first to read your new comic, on the condition that they wait until Saturday to show it to anyone else. That waiting period is a hold-back.
A hold-back works the same way in movie distribution. It is a contractual rule that prohibits a distributor from releasing a film in a certain way, like on streaming, until a specified amount of time has passed. Hold-backs are what make Windowing actually work, keeping each Release Window from overlapping too soon with the next one.
Fun facts
- A theatrical hold-back is what used to guarantee a movie stayed in theaters for a set stretch of time before it could show up at home.
- Hold-backs have been shrinking for years, as streaming has changed how quickly movies move between windows.
- Breaking a hold-back agreement can lead to serious contract disputes between a studio and its distribution partners.