Theater Owners to Comcast: Cut!
Two big theater chains are unhappy with the cable op's idea to show new theatrical movies on High-Definition TV.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2007) -- Comcast President Steve Burke said last week that big blockbuster films like the next Spiderman could soon air on cable High-Definition TV the same day they premiere in the theaters.
However, two major movie theater chains are saying Comcast doesn't have a ticket to that show.
The Los Angeles Times reports today that Regal Entertainment and National Amusements say they would refuse to show any movie that premiered on cable and in the theater the same day.
The movie chains are too funny.
Of course they don't want competition. Maybe this will help us not have to pay $20 a person when we go to the movies and want popcorn and a soda.
I too would LOVE same day releases. I have my own home theater setup and would love to have friends come over. Besides, I have quick access to a CLEAN restroom, clean environment, no noises from other patrons and also access to food/drinks whenever I want. I think it would be perfect. I wouldn't have to wait in line or waste gas driving to the theater. I wouldn't have to find parking either.
But Shari Redstone, president of National Amusements, said the cable premiere would tamper with the "magic" of the movie theater.
I wonder what "magic" she's referring too?
The "magic" of having people near you talking (not whispering, talking in a regular voice) during the movie?
The "magic" of someone's phone ringing and them answering it during a movie?
Most likely it's the "magic" lost when someone doesn't buy an $8 popcorn and a $5 drink.
Sorry, but theater owners lost any claim to magic when they became too scared to promote and enforce movie manners. Nope, once they have our ticket and concession money, we become irrelevant.
If seeing movies in theaters were really important, perhaps the MPAA would have a rating system that judged the quality a theaters ability to present a film in the intended manner.
Don't you love the sounds of dinosaurs bellowing?
it would also appear that if you had the ability to record the movie, it would hurt the dvd sales in the future. not sure you can record it but people find a way to anything they want. as a past small theatre owner i know how hard it is to make ends meet even when you have a big grossing movie.
just a thought.
As a former DVD pirate, I see this as a golden opportunity to get back in the game. No more sneaking cameras into the theater, I can record it from home!
It's time the movie theaters realize their demise with today's technology. They will go out the same way drive-in theaters did. The experience was enjoyable in the day but the price of a movie is not worth the experience. Drive-ins still exist but not very many of them. It is a dying experience and they must realize that people now have their own home theaters. If you are an avid movie goer, save your money and invest in your own home theater. No more sticky floors, smelly seats or noisy rude people. I love my home theater!
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