wombat_socho

Yeah, but the numbers say that the movie theater industry is in big trouble. I don't think it's because of piracy, though... it's just that the cost:profit ratio sucks so badly. Attendance is down, so theaters raise ticket prices to stay open, so attendance goes down further, etc. Bad spiral. It might only take one more needle to break the camel, so to speak.

Not that I think theaters will go away, just that they will become less and less viable as business ventures. The customer base may still be there (because, lord knows, I and most everyone else I know prefer the theater experience), but the current business structure just may not be very viable anymore.

I don't necessarily think having studio theaters is the answer. I think enhancing the theater experience could save the industry. Not just better sound and projection... I mean serving real food and beer, or thinking outside the box for film lineups, or populating theaters with comfy sofas instead of chairs, etc.

As far as I can see, the Alamo Drafthouse chain in Austin ain't hurting. They even have the monetary leeway to not just show current films, but also host film festivals, premiers, and all sorts of cinematic events. They've turned showing movies into the center of a thriving community.

But anyway, back to topic... other than trying to "rescue" the theater industry by giving them first dibs at new releases, I see no reason to not release films simultaneously on DVD and cable.