This surely isn’t the four weeks of Advent, but nevermind, at least Blockbuster (NYSE: BBI) gets some breathing space it desperately needs. It has a new windowing deal with Warner Bros. (NYSE: TWX) where DVDs and Blu-rays will be available to the customers four weeks before they get released on “either kiosk or other subscription services” (read: Redbox and Netflix). These BB rentals will start same day as DVD sale release, with The Blind Side the first one, available today in BB stores and by-mail. The digital agreement already in place remains unchanged, it said. Details in release.

SEE ALSO: Blockbuster Warns Of Crushing Debt Problems; Chapter 11 Filing Remains A ‘Possibility’

Here’s BB CEO James Keyes in an interview on this deal with Bloomberg: “The studios appreciate that we are the only business that has the ability to offer cross channels…That enables us to give consumers access to movies when they want it and where they want it.” Which of course flies in face of the ground realities of his tanking business.

This comes as Netflix agreed to the four weeks delay from Warner Bros earlier this year, in exchange for greater access to back catalog and direct-to-video titles for streaming. Redbox also agreed to the four week window and dropped its lawsuit against WaBo; in return Warner promised to offer Redbox reduced product costs and extended access to Blu-ray DVDs.