In an attempt to save face after deciding to pull The Interview comedy from theaters, Sony decided to still show the controversial film in select theaters on Christmas Day — the movie’s original release date — but the company still struggles with finding other partners to launch the movie. Reports revealed that Dish Network choose not to launch the movie, and The New York Times has learned that Apple also refused Sony, even though the White House may have tried to convince the iPhone maker to release The Interview on iTunes.
FROM EARLIER: Huge news: ‘The Interview’ will premiere online and in theaters on Christmas Day
“It remained unclear, however, whether any on-demand service would take The Interview, the publication wrote. “According to people briefed on the matter, Sony had in recent days asked the White House for help in lining up a single technology partner — Apple, which operates iTunes — but the tech company was not interested, at least not on a speedy time-table. An Apple spokesman declined to comment.”
President Obama has lauded Sony’s decision to go forward with the movie release, after last week criticizing the company for its decision to cancel the movie following a series of threats received from the hackers who hit Sony in late November.
“As the president made clear, we’re a country that believes in free speech and the right of artistic expression,” White House press secretary Eric Schultz said.
Meanwhile, it appears that other companies who could stream the movie, including satellite operators, cable systems and online platforms, are worried that hackers could target them next, which is why they might be refusing Sony.
