Paramount Pictures has announced a radical experiment in film distribution, opting to release "Jackass 2.5," the third installment of its popular stunt and prank franchise, free on Blockbuster's website.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Paramount and MTV New Media, the film's backers, plan to stream the film for free -- with ads of course -- for a week before Blockbuster begins selling the DVD.

Blockbuster reportedly paid $2 million for the rights to the film, agreeing to share 70 percent of the ad revenue with the studio after the initial investment is recouped.

Blockbuster, Paramount and MTV plan to promote the film heavily on Facebook.

The film's unique distribution model could be a tonic for the digital dilemma that continues to confound traditional media. While some Hollywood-types, including former Disney boss Michael Eisner, have tried to produce feature-length content for the internet, so far all attempts have come up short. If successful Paramount may find in "Jackass 2.5" a new distribution model.