OT: so Cinema theatres are almost dead?

[gearfreak]

Tangential to some (inc. myself), but the bread and butter of others here... right?

So there's increasing discussion of the viability of modern theatres - given the recent Universal and then Warner release schedule 'renegotiations'... and whatever article you read seems to mention 'billions' in debt for various theatre operations.

Opinions - is this a death knell for the industry?

I would imagine some of our audio vendors must surely be paying close attention.

[BillWojo]

I don't know how they can bounce back from this. Unless the building is owned out right than really it's a nice tax bill they need to pay but if the building is a long term lease or mortgage?
I gave up on movie theaters years ago when they started getting really greedy so it won't effect me.
So when a lot of these theaters start closing up, aside from Altec (most of that is already gone) what should we be on the look out for? I do know that the last time I went to the Regal Cinema I walked out because the audio was really that bad. Haven't been back. LOL

BillWojo

[tomt]

in these United States, it may very well be.

-------------------------------------------------

in China, indoor theaters, have only just begun.

there are many millions of people,

that have yet to see a movie, in a theater.

air conditioning, is a major part of this experience .

[GM]

Hotlanta has been a cinema sound venue since the earliest days thanks to the 'Fabulous' Fox Theater and now with so many movies, TV shows being done in Ga., I imagine it will continue, though ~expecting the local Regal [maybe all the still closed Regals] to close permanently as my area continues to slide down the social register despite Chamblee's efforts to go in the other direction.

GM

[LICORNE]

Some cinema chains are getting help from govt. It's the same story when tv came out in 1952 they were predicting the downfall of cinemas . Then VHS came along it was the same story . I think it's here to stay . Teenagers want somewhere to go to get away from parents especially if they have girlfriends. All these Digital internet platforms for
TV is expensive . I think Cinemas are here to stay .

[GM]

I agree! Didn't mean to imply otherwise, just won't be as many, at least in areas like the greater metro Atlanta area that lost ~half that never returned back in the 2008 recession, with more along the way till now.

GM

[gearfreak]

... Teenagers want somewhere to go to get away from parents especially if they have girlfriends. ...

Agreed. That's one of the points I made in a discussion with someone before I made the post. :-)

...and doubly so for those of us in colder climates.

If we don't preserve the theaters, the streets will be rampant with horny teenagers. Quick go see a movie and save the industry! hah.