Cuban to air movies on TV ahead of cinema

Mark Cuban-owned film distributor Magnolia Pictures is set to bow its latest releases via television ahead of their theatrical release.

Movies will air via HDNet Movies’ new video on demand service weeks before they are released in movie theatres.

Cuban, who also owns HDNet, is looking to smash traditional windowing and even day-and-date releases in order to build a buzz around the company’s indie arthouse movies.

Magnolia Pictures latest pictures include Brian Cox’s drama Red and Alex Gibney’s documentary Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr Hunter S Thompson. Magnolia is the distribution arm of Cuban and Todd Wagner-owned production company 2929 Entertainment.