Warner Home Video is set to announce a plan to sync up friend networks on Facebook with the interactive community-screening features of Warners' Blu-ray Disc releases, starting with the upcoming '
Watchmen'. In a first for the format, buyers of the Blu-ray will be able to view the film and share comments with their Facebook friends at the same time.
BD-Live has always allowed such "community screenings" via its "buddy list" function. But those lists now can be combined with Facebook's friend networks for immediate access to a broader array of acquaintances, rather than being limited to the general BD-Live community. That's why Warner has decided to partner with the hugely-popular Facebook network. This partnership is strategic only, with no money changing hands between the parties.
Late last year, Warner mounted one of the most-noted previous BD-Live ventures, when the distributor staged a
community screening of '
The Dark Knight', during which director Christopher Nolan offered live commentary to 50,000 viewers on a dedicated Web site.
The '
Watchmen' Blu-ray will also include a new feature for the format. Dubbed "Maximum Movie Mode," it will allow split-screen viewing of the movie to focus on elements in director Zack Snyder's on-camera commentary.