• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, December 14, 2007

It's now common practice for a TV show to premiere online. Could the movie business be moving in that direction?

Probably not. But Paramount is taking a baby step by debuting the newest release in its "Jackass" franchise free on a Blockbuster-run site starting Dec. 19 and available through Dec. 31. However, while the film will be available on DVD and by paid download later in that span, it won't be in theaters.

The promotion for "Jackass 2.5" is sponsored by Blockbuster.

Viacom's MTV Networks is also launching a jackassworld.com site.

Thomas Lesinski, president of Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment, said, "The Jackass movie is the first of several features that we plan on distributing online and as the digital world evolves, Paramount will continue to turn digital distribution of content on its head."

On Dec. 26, the "2.5" DVD will be made available for rent only at Blockbuster--and for sale at a range of retailers. The film will also be available for paid download then on outlets such as iTunes and Amazon.com.