via yahoofinance
1. “We’re obsolete? No way!”
Hard to believe, but movie theaters have been holding their own, despite intense competition from cable, the Internet and other media. After a 2005 slump, box office revenue increased over the past few years, and it’s likely 2009 will have set a new record. But that growth is due largely to inflation; the number of tickets bought has stayed close to 1.4 billion since 2005, while the average ticket price has climbed from $6.41 to $7.46.
Looking for new ways to make money, theaters are exploring options like more in-house advertising and expanded concessions. But the biggest potential lies in digital technology and the flexibility it affords programming.
Read more here…
Here my personal take on the list:
1) Special live events shown at movie theaters? That made me cringe. Isn’t that what TV’s are for? I could see if this was Europe and let’s say the World Cup was being broadcast live from “(insert name) Square”, that’s different. I’ve actually been in that exact atmosphere during the World Cup, the vibe and energy is sick! But it’s also FREE!
2) Don’t get me started on the ‘advertising’ at movie theaters. Unfortunately it has become a necessary evil, but depending on when you get to the theater, you’re bomblasted (yes, I made a new word) with a constant stream of commercials. Why can’t they show something that will actually teach us or inform us about something new, like old school newsreels that use to play before a movie back in the day? I know….it doesn’t make any money, but it would be nice.
3) An influx of Indie films would be a pleasant break from all the hyped up Blockbusters, so I have no qualm on that note.
4) I rarely go to a film on opening night because I cannot stand the crowds, so I guess I am helping my local theater in that respect.
5) You all might disagree with me on this one, but I’m so anti-3D. I just can’t seem to get a grip on it. Maybe it’s like a new CD and you’ve only listened to one song from it and you’re unsure if you like it, but when you listen to it over and over again it grows on you. I’ll check back with you after a few more viewings and let you know.
6) I rarely buy concession stand food, unless I haven’t eaten and I’m starving and feel I will pass out during the movie from hunger. It’s just so ridiculously overpriced. Popcorn and candy does not a movie experience make. Ok, maybe popcorn.
7) I don’t find much wrong with this one, but serving alcohol is kinda iffy, cause any time I have imbibed any, the last thing I want to do is watch a movie….it’s more like party time.
8) I despise cell phones that ring during a movie. It’s just plain rude. You’re reminded at the beginning of the movie to hush your cell…so there is no excuse. Do you forget to turn off your phone when your flying? The bright glow from the cell phone does distract me if I see it, but I don’t get my panties in such a bunch as I do with ringing. It’s the constant talkers that are the worst. I can see if you’re five and don’t understand what the hell is going on in a scene (I used to do that with my mom, she hated me for it) but if you’re older that say sixteen, you watch a movie, not talk a movie, so shut the eff up!
9) We cannot escape “loudness’ with anything. Between i-pods, rock concerts and the increasing ‘loudness war‘ with new music releases, our slow spiral in deafness is inevitable.
10) I don’t know why they didn’t think of this sooner. I’m sure most of us would like to see great movies all year round and not have to squeeze in all our movie watching experience into a few short months.
So, now that I have unleashed my opinions on the matter, I’d love to hear yours. What do you think of this list and how do you feel about it?
We do the same, especially when I have the kids with me.
I think you hit on my pet peeves. We always go to the dollar store and buy some candy. Then, yes, must have popcorn.
We do the same, especially when I have the kids with me.
I think you hit on my pet peeves. We always go to the dollar store and buy some candy. Then, yes, must have popcorn.
In the editorial piece that I highlighted, No. 4 states how studios collect anywhere from 30 to 70 percent of the box office receipts within the first week of a movie opening. The theater profits more if the movie has longevity and runs for months, which is rare. You did bring this point up in your comment, which already mirrored what was stated in the editorial piece, so I don’t understand how you deduced that I was suggesting to the fact that inflated ticket prices help keep theaters open.
On the note of concession stands, yes, I am quite aware of how inventory works and yes you are correct, every item must be accounted for. This is true for most food service businesses. Just try and get a simple cup, no drink, from 7-eleven for free, it’s not happening.
Thank you for noticing the grammatical error. You know, no matter how many times something is edited, sometimes one little blatantly obvious incorrect sucker slips by. I hate that.
I am sorry to hear about your employment situation. I wish you luck in finding something soon. ☺
This editorial was not written by us, it is just a highlight from another site. As for the your and you're, not everyone has perfect grammar. Thank you for pointing this out to our editor and we appreciate your opinion, but please do not bash our staff for not having a perfect grammar, we are not english majors after all.
I did know that theaters make no money from ticket sales. It's sad how technology has screwed many older businesses.
That said, I hate going to the theater. I only go when friends really want to see something.
I hate the chattering during movies, the cell phones, the general rudeness. I'd rather be at home watching a movie.
On the other hand, there was no way I could miss Lord of the Rings on the big screen.
Your editorial doesn't come right out and say it, but if I didn't know better, I'd think you mean that those inflated ticket prices have something to do with keeping theaters open, when in fact, that couldn't be farther from the truth.
The movie theaters don't make a dime off ticket sales. That money all goes to the movie studio/production company/etc. All that money New Moon made opening weekend may as well have been Summit reaching directly into our pockets and bypassing the local theaters completely.
What the theaters do make money from is concessions. That's why they're priced so high. If it weren't for the $9 buckets of popcorn and annoying advertisements, they'd have little ability to even pay their electricity bills. What most people don't realize is that theaters are so reliant on concession sales that they actually count the cups. Yes, management is responsible for making sure that not a single cup, bag, or carton is distributed without being paid for by a customer. That's why your friends who work there can get you into the movie for free but can't get you a small popcorn without paying for it.
The cost of running a theater has gone up in recent years as well. Moviegoers want those “loveseat” armrests that can be raised and lowered, larger screens, stadium seating, and other amenities that weren't as common ten years ago. Every time a new theater opens with better seating, more specialized concessions, or more “luxury” features, the older theaters have to do something to compete.
So yes, tickets cost more, concessions are overpriced, advertisements suck, and it would be nice if special event screenings were free, but we either want our movie theaters to stay open, or we don't.
No, I don't work for a theater. I'd love to, though, because at least then I'd have a job.
p.s. “Your” and “you're” are not interchangeable.
This is true. I guess I'm old-fashioned as I am used to pay-per-view. I want to thank you for introducing me to Rifftrax. I had never heard of that before.
As for number 1, things like Rifftrax live, or events you would not be able to see for free or anywhere else, a movie theater makes sense.