Quick! It's time to jump in!
on the Movie front....overall theater attendance down for the past 2 years, now AMC, the biggest movie theater company is possibly going to charge different prices for different seating areas:
http://www.slashfilm.com/amc-theater-seating/
I think this is not going to go over well if that's the only thing they do (They do charge extra for the rumble seats, I mean D-Box already).
A few thoughts:
- I do wonder if there was same-day release on streaming/blu-ray as movies, and there wasn't a scarcity issue, how much revenue the theaters would lose. I'm guessing it would be 50% or more.
How long before the studios decide it's no longer worth it to delay release of the home versions....and then rapidly accelerate the demise of theaters?
If I had a movie theater, here is what I'd do:
Add partitions that can be placed between the seats, have headphone jacks at each seat and even a "rental" or deposit to use their high quality headphones if you really don't want to be distracted by other guests as one of the big issues with theaters is the complete lack of manners many people have.
Another thing is to have more staff people in the theater watching out for any rude behavior and warning or escorting the guest out of the theater if they don't follow the rules.
I'm annoyed at movie theatres that don't have open seating anymore. I don't want to have to choose my exact seat(s) before I enter the theatre. I want to walk in and then choose, based on how crowded it is and where the open seats are.
I love assigned seating. It's something I pay extra for and don't mind.
I only go to the theater for big tentpole titles now. I much prefer my experience at home, so I'd rather just buy the Blu-ray than go to a noisy theater with exhorbant snack prices.
Nope, that's not me.
And I don't go to enough movies to care all that much, but it's a solution to a problem that didn't exist, IMO. That is too common of a problem these days, I think. Probably some consultant was hired and figured, "I've got to change something to justify my fee. I know! Let's make the rubes pick a seat BEFORE they get inside and see how the crowd is spread out."
Let people sit where they want to, says I.
Going to the cinema is still a big thing in Oz. The two main chains are quite successful, and one of them recently revamped and consolidated three different brands into one franchise. It keeps going from strength to strength here.
It’ll always be a fun social time for young people, and if you’re a bit older and don’t want the rude youngsters there’s always the premium Gold Class theatre with reclining chairs and F&B service.
If cinemas in the US are struggling then maybe they need to streamline and make the regular theatre experience attractive for late-teens, and offer choices for older folks who want a more comfortable time. That could attract people away from their lounge rooms and into the cineplexes.
And I think there’s no way in hell that the traditional movie theatre will ever die. There’s something quite special about the whole package; the big screen, the booming surround, the smell of popcorn. It’s definitely an event.
I for one love reserved seating. No anxiety over getting a good seat.