Warner Brothers Digital Distribution in Korea will put Dark Knight out on video-on-demand (VOD) Dec 5 - two weeks before the DVD release, making it the first time a major Hollywood studio gives a blockbuster a 'pre-DVD VOD' release.

Dark Knight will go on IPTV providers Mega TV - owned by Korea Telecom (KT), and Broad&TV - owned by SK Telecom, as well as digital cable TV provider Home Choice.

Warner Bros stated, 'The digital infrastructure is in place in Korea and we're using it as a test market for pre-DVD VOD service. We're taking action against illegal film downloads, and plan to expand our digital distribution business in Korea.'

With Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger starring, Dark Knight took 4 million admissions in Korea when it opened last August.

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