'Dark Knight' riding early to VOD

WB to distribute pic before DVD release

By HAN SUNHEE

'The Dark Knight'

SEOUL -- Warner Bros. will distribute "The Dark Knight" on video-on-demand in South Korea, two weeks before its DVD release, making it the first Hollywood studio to release a blockbuster on VOD before DVD.

Pic will be offered through IPTV channels Mega TV and Broad&TV as well as digital cable TV service Home Choice from Friday.

"Warner is planning to do active business with digital distribution, based on Korea's strong digital infrastructure as a test bed for a pre-DVD VOD service. We will collaborate with local business partners of digital content, while coping with illegal downloads," said Cho Hong-yeon, director of Warner Korea's digital distribution unit.