I definitely think studios will be doing this in the future. I understand why they're doing it in the current environment, and so I'm okay with it for the moment, but I hope this does not become a permanent thing after COVID has come and gone.

Even if it's just for a month or two prior to release on VOD/cable/satellite/DVD/Blu-Ray, exclusivity should be maintained regarding releasing a film first in a theater prior to other formats. Before all this virus madness happened, streaming was already killing the brick-and-mortar movie theaters; to make alternative formats the norm after this is over will kill the theaters altogether.

So again, I hope that releasing films on VOD/other formats at exactly the same time of or in lieu of a theatrical release does not become the norm in the future (the exceptions, of course-- as has long been the case --would be independent films that just cannot find theatrical distribution).

Well said @northcoast Hopefully this is a "for now", but with the recent announcement all the major theater chains are CLOSING, they have to try to make up the cost of production. Really sucks for movies that opened this week like The Hunt & Bloodshot, they'll be lucky to recoup their costs. Smart move by Universal...again, til this stupid virus thing blows over.