Movie Theaters May Grow Obsolete with COVID-19
As COVID cases continue to grow, the once-thriving cinema industry may face its final days.
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The pandemic has continued to confine people strictly to the inside of their homes, except for essentials such as food and water. This necessary precaution has been the downfall of a production that was once loved: the exhibition industry.
Ever since its creation back in the early 1900’s, the cinema excited moviegoers, as they could see their favorite actors and stories on the big screen. New technology like 3D and surround sound have also added to this appeal. With almost 180,000 deaths from COVID-19, however, traditional theaters are not a suitable option for many people, even with extra precautions and sanitation measures. Because of this situation, streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu have seen more success over the traditional movie theatre by letting customers enjoy movies safely from their own homes.
Streaming services have worried the cinema industry for years, but now that theatres have no choice but to close, experts worry that they are becoming obsolete. Jeff Block, the senior analyst for Exhibition Relations, said in a CNBC interview, “Now, because of the lack of leadership, theaters across America are on the verge of bankruptcy with no real cinematic savior in sight.”
Though movies tried to push back release dates, many eventually gave in to simply licensing them to Netflix and other services. The King of Staten Island, a highly anticipated movie by comedian Pete Davidson and director Judd Apatow, is just one of the many movies that were not theatrically played.
Entire corporations like AMC and Cinemark have gone to extreme measures to make up for this loss in capital, like fifteen cent tickets and the dismissal of thousands of workers. On top of that, many worry that this might forewarn of the imminent decline of the industry after the pandemic as well.
Theatres and traditional movie displays have not lost all hope, however. International cinemas have continued to rise in viewership as COVID regulations have relaxed, and Hollywood movies released outside of the US have racked up millions in ticket sales. Cinema executives think that this upward trend will happen in the US as well, once movie theaters reopen.
How people view their favorite TV shows and movies have changed drastically since their creation, but people can still expect most of their cinemas to be open. Even though companies like AMC must adapt to fit the extremely uncertain times, moviegoers should not mourn the loss of their favorite theaters just yet.
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The pandemic has continued to confine people strictly to the inside of their homes, except for essentials such as food and water. This necessary precaution has been the downfall of a production that was once loved: the exhibition industry.
Ever since its creation back in the early 1900’s, the cinema excited moviegoers, as they could see their favorite actors and stories on the big screen. New technology like 3D and surround sound have also added to this appeal. With almost 180,000 deaths from COVID-19, however, traditional theaters are not a suitable option for many people, even with extra precautions and sanitation measures. Because of this situation, streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu have seen more success over the traditional movie theatre by letting customers enjoy movies safely from their own homes.
Streaming services have worried the cinema industry for years, but now that theatres have no choice but to close, experts worry that they are becoming obsolete. Jeff Block, the senior analyst for Exhibition Relations, said in a CNBC interview, “Now, because of the lack of leadership, theaters across America are on the verge of bankruptcy with no real cinematic savior in sight.”
Though movies tried to push back release dates, many eventually gave in to simply licensing them to Netflix and other services. The King of Staten Island, a highly anticipated movie by comedian Pete Davidson and director Judd Apatow, is just one of the many movies that were not theatrically played.
Entire corporations like AMC and Cinemark have gone to extreme measures to make up for this loss in capital, like fifteen cent tickets and the dismissal of thousands of workers. On top of that, many worry that this might forewarn of the imminent decline of the industry after the pandemic as well.
Theatres and traditional movie displays have not lost all hope, however. International cinemas have continued to rise in viewership as COVID regulations have relaxed, and Hollywood movies released outside of the US have racked up millions in ticket sales. Cinema executives think that this upward trend will happen in the US as well, once movie theaters reopen.
How people view their favorite TV shows and movies have changed drastically since their creation, but people can still expect most of their cinemas to be open. Even though companies like AMC must adapt to fit the extremely uncertain times, moviegoers should not mourn the loss of their favorite theaters just yet.
