Warner Bros., AMC Strike 45-Day Exclusive Theatrical Window Deal for 2022 (hollywoodreporter.com) 20
In a new deal with mega-cinema chain AMC Theatres, Warner Bros. has agreed to return to an exclusive, 45-day theatrical window in 2022. From a report: AMC CEO Adam Aron unveiled the pact Monday during an earnings call. "We're especially pleased Warner Bros. has decided to move away from day-and-date," Aron said. "We are in active dialogue with every major studio." WarnerMedia enraged cinema operators when deciding to open its 2021 slate simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters. The company has since said that the move was in response to the ongoing pandemic, and not permanent. Insiders add that the AMC arrangement was agreed to in March.
The audacious Aron said it was "no secret" that AMC was "not at all happy" when WarnerMedia made its move after launching HBO Max. "An exclusive window is an important way to build big and successful franchises." Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the traditional theatrical window was as long as 90 days. Studios had tried for years to collapse that period, but faced boycotts if doing so.
The audacious Aron said it was "no secret" that AMC was "not at all happy" when WarnerMedia made its move after launching HBO Max. "An exclusive window is an important way to build big and successful franchises." Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the traditional theatrical window was as long as 90 days. Studios had tried for years to collapse that period, but faced boycotts if doing so.
did AMC push for an better cut? (Score:4, Insightful)
did AMC push for an better cut? or will popcorn and pop need to go $15-$20 to cover this?
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I'm already paying that much at my favorite theater!
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no but they really don't check.
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No they almost universally don't permit that. In fact at most theaters the concessions really are the main products. Many places make nearly nothing on ticket sales. The real margin generator is getting $5 out of you for a $0.70 (wholesale) box of candy.
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In a news story about how AMC got something they wanted in a negotiation: "I wonder if they got paid more money for agreeing to that thing they wanted"
Right, well (Score:5, Insightful)
I think we've become used to streaming our movies at this point. Waiting an extra 45 days really doesn't seem like a hardship for us grownups anyway, and it saves us from having to pay good money for bad movies.
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I look forward to continuing to not go to theaters to watch movies! But then, admittedly I'm not part of their prime demographic - so it's unlikely they care.
Anyway... all this 45-day "theater exclusive" window means is that more people will likely pirate the movies, and the attention of the non-pirates will have largely moved on to something else by the time that window has expired. Movie theaters were already in bad shape before COVID-19 came into being. The major chains may hold their hands over their ea
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The blackout is just going to put Warner at a disadvantage.
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Re:Right, well (Score:4, Insightful)
So much this. I’m content to wait a year or five for worthwhile video games to hit $5. Movies are announced years in advance. I can wait another 2 months for a movie to hit my streaming services.
The only ones worth the theater are the ones that are improved by the big screen experience, but those are few and far between.
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I think we've become used to streaming our movies at this point. Waiting an extra 45 days really doesn't seem like a hardship for us grownups anyway, and it saves us from having to pay good money for bad movies.
Waiting for the dvd to come out hasn't been a hardship for a long time. Much rather rent movies than go to the theater.
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Yep, that's it right there. The comfort of my couch is well worth waiting at least 45 days, if not longer.
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Going to the cinema used to be something I'd do for fun, a little trip out, enjoy the big screen and THX sound.
Before the pandemic it was getting less fun. Aside from the high prices the screen isn't that great any more. Yeah it's big but it's a juddery 24 fps mess (sorry cinema purists). I like to actually see what is happening in action scenes and panning shots and I can do that on my big TV.
Sometimes the sound is turned up too loud for comfort. I like some big bangs now and then but some cinemas are ridi
Corruption (Score:2)
This is pure corruption. Theatres should be offering a compelling product to get people through the door, not forcing them by taking away any alternatives.
All this does is harm those who cannot attend theatres - those who have medical reasons for not being vaccinated or other health problems, those who have mobility problems and need a wheelchair-accessible cinema, those who do not have a theatre within easy distance of their home etc.
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All this does is harm those who cannot attend theatres
It doesn't harm anyone to wait 45 days to see Hollywood's latest pile of shit, period. If this were about groceries or something you might have a point.
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Minority (Score:1)
Theaters are dinosaurs (Score:2)
They should be allowed to die. They only exist because of the technological limitations of early movies. They suck in many ways.
That being said, there is probably a future for hybrids like breweries or restaurants that show movies