Movie night will never be the same if this big change takes off
When was the last time you went out the movies? If you can’t quite remember, that’s exactly why Paramount Pictures is rolling out this new change. They’ve worked out a deal with two pretty significant cinema chains (AMC Theatres and Canada’s Cineplex Inc.) that will have new movies hitting our TVs and laptops using VOD/on-demand home services only a few weeks after they’ve come to theaters.
Their guinea pigs for this whole process are two smaller films that, nevertheless, will still draw some large audiences: Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension and Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. Only time will tell how this new process will affect box office sales and movie-attendance, especially when, if you wait a little longer, you can do it all from your couch.
It’s this couch-culture that’s prompting the change. TV shows are becoming more and more of an online-exclusive feature (think Netflix’s Orange is the New Black), so it’s only logical that movies would follow suit. There’s online-only releases, such as the YouTube-led sensation Camp Takota, so this is Paramount’s attempt at finding a middle ground.
Which could be a losing battle, since 2014 holds a 20 year low for box office sales. Some theaters have tried to fight back, introducing in-theater dining and bars, but this is often dampened by extreme prices. Let’s face it: There’s not much left in traditional entertainment that you can’t get faster, cheaper and easier from the comfort of your home devices.
Now, I’m not advocating for the demise of movie theaters! I love my local theater precisely for its environment and the almost retro feel of seeing something on the big screen. It really comes down to this: When it comes to your next movie night, when given the choice between a cinema or the couch, which would you choose? Paramount wants to create model that has a little something for everyone. Either way, it involves popcorn, so I’m satisfied.
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