With its Sarah Palin documentary "The Undefeated" increasing its playdates by 40 percent this weekend, only to watch box office revenue decline by over 63 percent, distributor Arc Entertainment announced Sunday that the film will soon be available on pay per view.
Starting Sept. 1, subscribers to DirecTV, Dish Network and Time Warner can see the true Horatio Alger story of an Alaska woman's rise from self-described "hockey mom" to gubernatorial dropout to conservative cable news bastion talking head, all in the comfort of their own home.
And if they can't figure out the VOD/PPV thing, Arc has them covered -- the film will launch on DVD Oct. 4 with a shipment of 250,000 units.
As for the theatrical run, the distributor insists it will continue through August and September.
The movie played in 14 Tea Party-friendly locations this weekend -- up from the 10 in which it opened last week -- but grossed just $24,000.
Here's the full Arc Entertainment press release:
ARC Entertainment Announces Massive National Rollout for Sarah Palin Film, “The Undefeated”
Beginning September 1st Video-on-Demand and Pay-Per-View to Make the Film Accessible to Approximately 75 Million Homes Through Major Cable and Satellite Companies Such as DIRECTV, DISH Network and Time Warner Cable
The Video on Demand / Pay-Per-View Launch to be Backed by Multi-Million-Dollar Marketing Campaign
DVD to Launch October 4th in Stores Nationwide with an Initial Shipment Estimated at 250,000 Units
Walmart to Receive a “Special Edition” Version of the Film
Limited Engagement Theatrical Release to Continue Nationwide Throughout August and September
*Embargoed Until 7PM EDT July 24, 2011*
Santa Monica, Calif. (July 24, 2011) - ARC Entertainment, the distributor of “The Undefeated,” the film about Gov. Sarah Palin’s rise from obscurity to national prominence, announced today that beginning on September 1st the film will be available to 75 million homes via Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View access through national and regional cable and satellite operators. The DVD will launch on October 4th and will be available at traditional and online retailers nationwide. ARC is estimating its initial unit shipment to be approximately 250,000 units. A “Special Edition” DVD will contain additional new content and will only be sold in Walmart stores. ARC will continue to expand the limited engagement theatrical release nationwide throughout August and September as demand across the country remains high.
Trevor Drinkwater, CEO of ARC Entertainment, said, “Since the film opened in select markets across the country on July 15th we have been inundated with requests from people wanting the film to be made available in their market. After methodically analyzing the most effective ways to bring this galvanizing film to the widest audience as soon as possible we have determined that continued limited theatrical distribution, Video-on-Demand, Pay-Per-View and DVD sales will be the best modalities by which to deliver this film as widely as possible.
