European Movie Theaters Say They're So Bad That They Can't Compete Without Exclusivity
from the foot-stuck-to-the-floor dept
The debate over windowed movie releases -- releasing to theaters on one date, then video on demand later, then DVDs later and so on -- has been going on for some time. Despite the advantages and opportunities simultaneous releases would create, theater owners condemn the idea, basically because they can't provide a movie-going experience that can compete with watching movies on DVD at home. The debate is kicking off in Europe again, where some theater chains in Germany and the UK are refusing to show a major-studio film because it will be released on DVD "just" 13 weeks after it's out in theaters. Theater owners say such a short window will keep people out of their theaters, and they need a long period of exclusivity to ensure they'll sell some tickets -- a pretty clear admission that they're doing such a poor job of giving customers a good experience that they can't compete any other way. The German movie-theater association says that with a release window of less than four months, its members starts losing customers. Their theaters must be pretty awful if they'll drive people to wait up to four months to watch something at home. It's pretty amazing to see these companies basically admit their theaters are so bad, and it also shows a complete and utter misunderstanding of their business. Instead of trying to succeed by being the only place new movies can be seen, why not work to make movie theaters a place people want to see movies?Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Racial Loyalty
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Racial Loyalty
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Racial Loyalty
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Narrow it down
Danish theatres have lots of customers, usually provide a great experience (seating, sound, picture quality etc.) and is generally considered the superior experience to watching it on DVD.
Dont know about german movies theatres, but my experience with swedish, finnish and icelandic theatres are also top of the line.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Cinema
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
You show a complete misunderstanding of this business :-) 27 countries with 23 differents languages... and thousands of different theater : good, bad, new comers, old and classic one...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Retail Apartheid
In Alabama, there's the same system -- the gansta crowd goes to Carmike Wynnsong 20, the white suburbanites go to Rave Patton Creek 15.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Retail Apartheid
That is so freagin' asinine. People choose the theaters they frequent. Carmike, AMC nor Century Cinemas decides "We're going to have a latino emphasis" or "We want mostly WASPs."
I detest willfully ignorant remarks that spread more ignorance and prejudice. There is no "US system" for segregating movie-going populations...asshole. People choose where they want to go and who they want to be around.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Retail Apartheid
Maybe not the best analogy as the Regals have Casino funding to help add quality while Neonopolis is family owned and doesn't have the same cash flow..
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Theatres are dead
I'm sorry, but the theatre experience is dead unless they come up with some way for it to be better than at home. They would need 3D Holographics in order to accomplish that, and I can't see theatres actually investing money, they just want to continue to rape the publics wallets.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Theatres are dead
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Overpriced and anti social
I would like to go a lot more as I like the big screen itself but when we do its completely overpriced and frankly not much of an 'experience'
There are two cinema multiplexes within 10miles of my house; both have been built within the last 5 years...
You go in and stand in a queue to buy tickets
You stand in a queue to buy amazingly overpriced confectionary (not allowed to take your own in obviously - this is a monopoly we are running)
You sit through 30mins worth of adverts and finally the movie starts - you get to enjoy sitting in a room with minimal legroom, unruly kids, arseholes on mobile phones etc etc
Cinemas make no attempt to throw out even the worst offenders meaning it goes on disrupting you throughout the movie and that they will do the same next time
When the movie ends you are quickly shown to the exit doors making the whole thing kind of a crapulent conveyor belt - joy
On the whole it's not worth the money to watch most of the trash films so I only go for the genuinely cinematic films where the screen really enhances the film. Pay £30+ to go watch 'Snakes on a Plane'? Nah I'll wait for the DVD thanks (I do like cheesy action films but they aren't worth the added expense)
Would my movie attendance change if they shortened the time between release and DVD? No not really - they lost me as a regular customer years ago and I have enough patience
Suggestions for improvement
Show occasional reruns of classics
Stop charging £3 for watered down Coke and expecting me to smile
Throw out people who talk/shout/throw stuff all the time
Discounts for families
Create areas which are actually nice to be in while waiting in line (the entire building doesn't have to be dark for Crissake)
Create areas for the entire family to stop and have drinks/chill in after the movie, I don't always feel like driving back *immediately* after a film and the kids need to unwind a little (at least to the point where they stop diving over everything and shouting)
Build some cinemas somewhere near the houses rather than 10miles out of town (somewhere with bus links so the kids can go unescorted might be a good idea)
I could go on but basically stop doing the absolute bare minimum and still expecting loyal customers
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Overpriced and anti social
As I read thru the list I couldn't help but think that if the theater allowed patrons to join a sort of "VIP club" with perks etc. they could charge a monthly fee for the club and give the perks while ensuring a stream of payments.
The patrons would benefit from the extra services and sense of being special. The monthly fee would entitle them to "free" movies, popcorn etc. as well as the VIP experience.
Having said all this, the local cinemas here (Guelph, near Toronto, Canada) have excellent stadium seating so no one's head gets in anyone elses way. They offer excellent surround sound and clean theaters. The food is overpriced but good including pizza, pretzels etc. etc.
I don't know what happens to folks with cell phones. The management makes it clear that they are to be turned off before the film but since I've never heard anyone use one during a film, I'm not sure what would happen.
I must say that although I've certainly visited these theaters, I don't go often. Unless I have a friend who wants to go I find it much more relaxing and enjoyable to wait and see the film in the comfort of my home. If the cinemas were as horrible as some described in these posts I doubt I would ever go!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Overpriced and anti social
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Overpriced and anti social
One question -- is the UK really safe enough to let children too young to drive go to the movie unescorted? Too many perps and pervs around for me to be confortable with that.
Back on topic -- I will wait a full year for a movie to get to DVD. Long enough to get a good set of reviews, and for the price to drop from the market skimming level. I am NOT in Hollywood's target market, LOL.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Overpriced and anti social
I think its safe enough and my opinion has always been that the number of pervs are grossly exagerated (in that there are no more percentage-wise than 50 years ago)
Thats not to say I don't bite my nails from time to time and yes I am worse with our daughter [sorry sweetheart] but at some point you have to give them their own freedom?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Overpriced and anti social
My parents starting letting me take the bus/trains with friends when I was 13 - short distances only, and I had to call when I arrived. Then they started letting me go further afield, and eventually I was taking the train by myself. These experiences gave me a strong sense of self-reliance and - more importantly - a sense of community that is often missing in areas where the only connection you have with your neighbors is hurtling past them in your separate vehicles.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Overpriced and anti social
As for my feelings on theaters... I haven't been in 2 years, nor am I sad about it. I see movies on DVD anyways, so it's no real loss waiting on them. I usually forget the existence of the movie until its DVD release anyways.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Overpriced and anti social
I myself am not happy with this attitude. I work in a cinema to show films and solve film related problems. I am quite happy to solve any problems related to that but I am puzzled by the general attitude that we should act like police. I can say in reality that our intervention usually makes things worse as idiotic patrons are wanting a scene.
PS. I never removed a custom who was guilty of anything (Out of the thousands!) and have met many mums and dads who were not there but agree!
Sorry, Haven't really convinced you back to the Theatre - Go on a Tuesday afternoon, you'll be fine!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
DVDs are overpriced and antisocial
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: DVDs are overpriced and antisocial
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Dissapointed
It was a great experience. They played music before
the movie (the sound system was awsome,) the movie
was bright, in focus and the lens was clean. The soda
was heavy with syrup and the popcorn was hot and fresh.
There was music after the movie as well and we left at a
leisurely pace.
Today, it's a stark contrast. Endless advertisments instead
of music, the movie was out of focus, dim and there was
dust on the lens. The soda was watery and the popcorn
stale. When the movie ended the house lights came up
to a painfully bright level as if to drive us out as soon as
possible after the shearing.
The only reason for me to enter a movie theater again
would be failure of the air conditioner at home on a hot day.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
prices
You also cannot smoke in theatres, or drink alcohol.
I would rather buy a dvd and be able to enjoy it the way i like in the comfort of my home, smoking a joint and drinking a beer.Or better still, download the movie for free, and hopefully encourage hollywood to stom making such dribble.
If the movie is worth seeing in the movies then i will still go to see it in the cinema, but i will usually have read about it on IMDB first to see if its all its cracked up to be.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Cinemas in Germany
I have to drive to Holland if I want to a see an English film in Dolby Surround.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
So expensive!
If we wait 4 months, then we can buy the DVD for (normally) less than £10, enjoy all the extra features, and watch it /pause it etc as often as we like. There are _very_ few films for which we won't want to wait 4 months to see them - in fact the time normally flies so fast that before you know it you can get it on DVD. So I guess they have a point about shortening DVD release times taking their custom...
Actually, in the end we decided to join a DVD-rental by post company instead of visiting the cinema at all. For the same cost as visiting a cinema once a month, we can have three movies out at a time with unlimited exchanges for different films, and postage is included so we don't even have to leave the house to receive a new film.
May be the cinemas should just price competitively and accept that the the "hey day" of cinema viewing is over. You want me to visit? Then offer me a price that I don't consider a rip off!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: So expensive!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: So expensive!
PS as a cinema manager I understand your frustration. It seems overpriced, until you compare the experience...go to a club for example or MacDonalds... If you rent a shit DVD you won't get your money back... And, most importantly many people claim the best cinema experience is a home cinema, nonsense,. How can even the biggest LCD (I ommit plasma for obvious reasons) compete with a run from a master on a 70 foot screen with 3d dolby.
I will admit I am happy to watch Hugh Grant's latest stuttrering pyjama mve with my belobed wife on DVD but fuck al that when it comes to Spiderman 3!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Well...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Well...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
the onlly theaters...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
theaters
60 inch plasma widescreen 1080p HD TV $6000
all accessories for above TV about $750
Home Theater System (Receiver, speakers, etc) $2500
HD/Bluray DVD player $1200
Movies $15/each
humm....
i'll pay my 8 bucks to see it at a movie theater on a 16x9 foot (192 x 108 inch) screen
but then again, they each have advantages. you don't need the high end line stuff to watch most movies, nor does it make them any better. but still...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: theaters
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: theaters
I wiould happily watch a good comedy on your set up but rather see the big guns at the screen above where I work!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
US isn't any better
The main problems these days is that the advertised movie start times actually mean the start of a LONG advertising segment, not when the movie starts. And that cell phones totally distroy the experience.
Netflix costs me 10 dollars a month for as many DVDs as I can move back and forth in the mail, my home theater is paid for, has a refridgerator just around the corner, popcorn is 25 cents (actually, I don't eat the stuff), I have a pause button, a clean bathroom, and the cell phone is turned off.
It would appear that theaters are going the same route as the drive in. i.e. ancient history.
By the way, did Europe have a drive-in theater in every town like the US did back in the 50/s and 60's? Just curious and I ask because I noticed the bones of an old one just yesterday on a rural road. Had a lot of fun in those, once.
Kaptain Konan
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: US isn't any better
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: US isn't any better
Re the Drive ins - I can't speak for all Europe (we already established the UK isn't even half of Europe) but no, we never did the drive in thing. We perhaps had the odd one here and there but not many at all - perhaps its the weather?
The Drive-in/thru/everywhere thing is a particularly US thing in my experience. Personally I can't see the point of a drive thru but I would have loved drive-ins ;0)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The home cinema is always very much better
* Better picture quality due to higher contrast (no emergency exit lights)
* Better picture and sound quality due to optimal seating position
* Ability to pause at will (for questions, discussion, bathroom, drinks)
* Ability to abort a bad movie and start a new one
* Ability to watch a series until you feel you want to stop
* Freedom from noisy people
* No hulk in front of you, blocking the picture
I could go on and on.
The movie theaters are doomed to provide a poor service to poor people.
Hans-Georg
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The Customer Service sucked, and the concessions are completely out of control.
I can watch a..... 12!!!! Month old movie I haven't seen yet, in the comfort of my own home, order pizza, smoke (yes, I'm an EVIL smoker, MUWHAHAH)...
For far less money, and it's much cleaner.
The reason I go to the movies is for the 'environment' - if it's not clean and the service sucks, forget it.
And I'm SOOOO very tired of listening to these businesses whine because **cry** we can't compete.
Well, you know what - there's an element of capitalism to business period, can't escape that, even in the biggest socialist countries... well at least until the government 'mandates' it.
Oh, wouldn't that be beautiful - yes... *tears of joy* why doesn't a socialist country just MANDATE people go spend their money at the Theaters to help these poor struggling businesses...
Wouldn't that be wonderful?
/sarcasm off
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
plus if you want to watch the greatest action flick and your partner wants to sleep, there goes the soound... ;-)
anyway, yeah most theaters suck today, but there is something romantic about the cinema (and i don't mean getting your jollies in a theater) i mean, star wars in a theater? come on. i remember seeing the "updated 4-6) when they were released when i was in Jr. High. that was cool.
and for the record, i drive past 2 drive in theaters on my way to work (44 mile drive) and there are about 6 drive-ins within a 25 mile radius of my house. so no, the drive ins are a dying bread....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
the theater system listed is over $10,000. that means youl'd have to watch 1000 movies (saying that a cinema costs $10 a pop) to recover the cost. but don't forget about the electric bill, cost of housing the theater system, plus the cost of your furnature to use while watching the movie, cost of food/beverage as well. and unless you have a "private theather room" (one iwht no windows and a nice sealing door, you'll still get contrast from outside light sources.
True but bare in mind that that 10k home theater is doing more than playing movies. It can also play tv shows and music and games depending on the setup.
You do have a point that for people that can't afford the fancy spreads like that (I'm one of those people) then the movie theater is offering a convienence. The problem with that movie theaters took that advantage for granted. Overall quality of theaters has fallen and now people have decided to put together a home setup. And if they spend a few thousand on it or just a few hundred for a simple tv and basic speaker setup they now have a choice between supbar service at the theater or put together their own home theater. And those home theaters are getting cheaper and cheaper.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Most people have TVs as home, lots of people are now getting HD LCD or plasma screens. I'm one of them. The total cost of my home setup is
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
lion said it best
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Time for the hollywonk monopoly to come crashing down. YAY.....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I have movie theaters beat
-> I can watch movies at home with my dick and balls sitting on the couch next to me.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
DORPUS YOU SUCK
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Theatres have always been a tough business.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Dorpus are you a racist
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
?
Secondly any movie-goer knows that the fact is your home cinema cannot in any way replocate the big screen, and never will, so the DVD debate is thin.
Compare the cost of a cinema tcket with other forms of entertainment...PS I work in a cinema, I dont own one. My own chain lets you see as many fims in a month as you want for £11 or 15 euros and we may have a sticky floor at midnight but guess who made that mess?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
copying 3d film
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Debate over EU theaters
[ link to this | view in chronology ]