In bankruptcies of airlines and other consumer-facing companies, sometimes their most valuable asset are their sideline credit card businesses. After some false starts in past years, exhibition is coming to recognize the value of leveraging such consumer financial relationships to build durable collateral businesses. AMC Entertainment announced its own Visa credit card this … [Read more...] about Data-Hungry Theaters Eye Branded Credit Cards
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Netflix Audiences Emerge From Shadows
Netflix is pouring billions into original TV programming and competition is intensifying, so the leading video streamer is listening more closely to its subscribers. For about a year, Netflix impaneled 2,000 subscribers (out of its 223 million worldwide currently) to give feedback on its original programs in what it calls its Preview Club; this effort will grow to 10,000 … [Read more...] about Netflix Audiences Emerge From Shadows
Cinemas Splurge on Upgrades
Despite the lingering ravages of the pandemic, movie theater operators are making sizeable investments to upgrade and reconfigure their physical plants. It’s something of a surprise because of post-Covid economic uncertainty and most cinema companies are already weighed down with heavy debt. But the capital-expenditure (CapEx) investment cycle is happening in … [Read more...] about Cinemas Splurge on Upgrades
Streamer Foreign Films Fill Indie Gap
The homegrown indie-film sector characterized by prestige movies is suffering, but moviegoers are getting relief. Similarly-crafted, high-minded movies are playing in the U.S. that streamers commissioned from overseas producers. A case in point is German-made World War I drama “All Quiet on the Western Front,” which Netflix gave a truncated U.S. cinema run. All the U.S. … [Read more...] about Streamer Foreign Films Fill Indie Gap
Celebrating Hollywood’s Snarky Side
Hollywood today wrestles with the same rough-and-tumble corporate culture and marketing riddles that are illuminated in the1952 drama/satire “The Bad and the Beautiful.” It’s a movie about movies spotlighting every corner of Hollywood including marketing matters that are still relevant today: agonizing over crafting promotional messages to turn heads; the behind-the-scenes … [Read more...] about Celebrating Hollywood’s Snarky Side
‘Terrifier 2’ Ignites Boxoffice
Independent horror film “Terrifier 2” is feasting on boxoffice as a moderate hit, benefiting because of pandemic disruptions of film supply. “Terrifier 2” has grossed a respectable $5.3 million in 17 days of domestic theatrical release, and that’s boffo for a horror/slasher film with a bare minimum national release. “While these grosses may seem low, don’t forget that … [Read more...] about ‘Terrifier 2’ Ignites Boxoffice
TikTok Adds Cinema Ticket Commerce
Trying to increase its advertising/promotion revenue from film distributors, top social network TikTok has added presentation of local movie start times. The Showtimes on TikTok initiative will facilitate direct online ticket sales as well. TikTok touts its value to Hollywood with its own research showing 52% of moviegoers research a “movie, show or actor through its … [Read more...] about TikTok Adds Cinema Ticket Commerce
Agent 007 Anchors Pinball Machine
The James Bond spy-thriller property and its most famous Agent 007, Sean Connery, anchor a mechanical pinball machine in limited quantities. Chicago-based Stern Pinball launches its James Bond 007 series of hardware priced at three tiers for $6,999 to $12,999. “Stern’s James Bond 007 cornerstone pinball machine,” says a press release, “highlights film footage and iconic … [Read more...] about Agent 007 Anchors Pinball Machine
Streamer Erases Cigarettes From Posters
Look what today’s cancel culture got now! HBO Max is sanitizing movie posters of cigarette/cigar smoking which gets knocked by film fans on social media and makes for some bizarre-looking images. “Angry movie fans took to Twitter to reveal the missing smokes on HBO Max’s feeds, which appeared to be scrubbed from iconic movie posters for Robert Altman’s ‘McCabe … [Read more...] about Streamer Erases Cigarettes From Posters
Streaming Film Gets Cinema Run
Sensing a gap in theatrical releases, Paramount Pictures has added a limited cinema run for made-for-streaming urban film “On the Come Up.” Time is short because the PG-13-rated youth drama is scheduled to premiere on the Paramount+ streaming service Friday, Sept 23. “On the Come Up” was well received at a Toronto International Film Festival screening days ago, giving … [Read more...] about Streaming Film Gets Cinema Run