AMC Theatres, Universal Collapsing Theatrical Window to 17 Days in Unprecedented Pact
Source: Hollywood Reporter
by Pamela McClintock
The studio will have the option of making any of its titles, as well as films from Focus Features, available on premium VOD after just three weekends of play in cinemas.
In a stunning reversal, AMC Theatres has struck a historic agreement with Universal that will allow the studio's movies to be made available on premium video-on-demand after just 17 days of play in cinemas, including three weekends, the two companies announced Tuesday.
The deal which presently only covers AMC's U.S. locations shatters the traditional theatrical window, a longstanding policy that has required studios to play their films on the big screen for nearly three months before making films available in the home. The unprecedented move on the part of a mega-exhibitor has far-reaching implications for the film business particularly amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and related theater closures and is a major coup for Universal.
AMC, the country and world's largest theater chain, is expected to share in the revenue from PVOD. The debt-laden company was hit particularly hard because of the pandemic, although recently found new institutional investors.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amc-theatres-universal-collapsing-theatrical-window-17-days-unprecedented-pact-1304759
iluvtennis
(19,905 posts)theaters going the way of the dinosaurs because of cost. In California to go to movie theater for family of four was near $100 to cover tickets, popcorn or hot dogs or pizza, candy, and sodas.
Wed typically wait for the movies to hit the 2nd run theaters to save money.
sueh
(1,829 posts)Occasionally we go to $5 movie night on Tuesday. Paying $10 or more per ticket doesn't make the movie better.
And no snacks.
The problem, though, is sitting by some loud munch-crunch-slurper.
Luckily, there's usually no shortage of empty seats elsewhere.
Raine
(30,541 posts)and more and more will be getting them as the price goes down.
iluvtennis
(19,905 posts)Roy Rolling
(6,943 posts)First-run features average 2-3 weeks of popularity in theaters, unless its a blockbuster. 17 days is reasonable.
truthisfreedom
(23,168 posts)EarthFirst
(2,906 posts)It doesnt bode well for them.
Baclava
(12,047 posts)Will actors in city scenes all be wearing masks and distancing?
Better make more off world space epics or back in time dramas.
cagefreesoylentgreen
(838 posts)Ive always hoped animation would take off as more of an acceptable medium for all genres rather than just comedy and/or childrens entertainment in America.
Anime runs the gamut of genres and I hope the West will at least consider animation more seriously. The work can be done remotely, and a voice actor in a sound booth wont risk unnecessary exposure.
AmyStrange
(7,989 posts)-
There are probably a few hundred films with crowd scenes that can also be used in any current movie being made. Maybe not in all the movies, but screenwriters are a pretty imaginative lot, and CGI can also be used.
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lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Before the COVID pandemic, we had the NRA pandemic.
The picture is nowhere near as good as a basic home TV.
Prices have become just silly.
mahina
(17,751 posts)I really love movies and I love going to the movies. Ive seen so many great films that I would never have seen on Netflix or Amazon I wouldve never found them
I wanted to support Steve Carell and John Stewart ame their new film irresistible .
it couldnt come out in the theaters but I wasnt really ready for the $20 rental fee. Finally coughed it up but it didnt feel great.
I hope this doesnt end up hurting the art form that has already largely replaced literature. We need art, film, books, music.