Theater Owners are Running Scared

Hmm this is a very interesting article on why people are going to the movie less. I think this reason that they gave is very compelling:

Industry watchers and even some insiders privately acknowledge that the filmgoing experience has become onerous for many consumers. Difficulties with parking, lines and what seems like an endless stream of commercials and coming attractions before a screening are turning viewers off.

Now there seems to be at least as many commercials as there are coming attractions in todays movies. And what is worse is they are exactly the same. They have that dumb Moterola (or Ericsson) one where the Japanese guy and the Swedish (or is he German) guy start to sing. They also have the one where the kids travel across the US to make a documentary for Coke. People don't want to watch commercials after having payed $8.50 a head to watch a movie.

Also I think one reason why DVDs are really starting to eat into movie profits because the lag time between the theatrical release and the DVD are so short nowadays. It seems that Hitch was just in theatres and now the DVD is out. In fact the article mentions that:

And the timelag between theatrical and DVD release has shrunk, said Carrie Dieterich, vice president of marketing and industry relations. In 2002, the average time between theater and DVD debut was 171 days. The lag currently is 138 days, with more than a month shaved off.

So for the price of two people going to see a movie you can actually wait and buy the DVD at a savings. It is still true that certain movies must be seen on the big screen to be appreciated. Movies like Lord of the Rings, Revenge of the Sith, and Batman Begins must be seen on the big screen to be appreciated. Those films will still make a bundle no matter what. The romantic comedies, the live action family films, and the non-Oscar worthy dramas will probably not make as much money as they once did. Seeing them on DVD is pretty much the same as seeing them in the theatre but without any hassle or trouble.