This Christmas, celebrate the gift of freedom. And by “freedom,” I mean $5.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy.

Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.

It's official: 'The Interview' will be available to rent or buy online starting at 1pm ET today pic.twitter.com/VOiq2bL1Ox

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) December 24, 2014

Well done by Google and Microsoft to take a risk by lending their platforms for this. Good business, too, as I assume both companies have hacking defenses far superior to Sony’s given their greater presence online. The threat to them is probably small while the potential of a Christmas windfall from curiosity-seekers who want to see what all the fuss was about is large. It’s especially smart for Google, I think, to seize the opportunity as a publicity stunt for YouTube Movies. I confess, until five minutes ago, I didn’t know that YouTube had a movie rental site. I know now.

Not sure if I’ll rent it but I’m glad that my right as an American to pass on a lowbrow comedy has now been restored.

Update: This may be the first movie ever to carry a promo blurb from the head of the RNC.

Update: Google’s statement:

Google statement on online release of 'The Interview' http://t.co/iSZ7KVQQfn pic.twitter.com/TySzOIcOeV

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) December 24, 2014