Major Theater Chains Threatening Not To Play Summer Blockbusters Over VOD Dispute [UPDATED]
Posted on Thursday, April 14th, 2011 by Germain Lussier
UPDATE: Shortly after this piece was published, the National Association of Theater Owners issued a statement that they most certainly would NOT encourage theaters to boycott any upcoming films, including the Harry Potter finale. Read the full press release after the jump. The original article remains below.
Could major theater chains really refuse to show Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the film most people believe will be the year’s biggest blockbuster? It’s possible. The National Association of Theater Owners, which represents national theater chains such as AMC and Regal, is threatening to stop showing films released by Universal, Sony, Warner Bros., and 20th Century Fox because those studios have agreed to a new Premium Video On Demand service. The new service, which goes into practice this month on Direct TV, will feature films 60 days after their theatrical release for the cost of $30. Theater owners don’t like this model one bit and see it as the biggest blow yet to their already dwindling business. But would they really not show a sure fire money maker like Deathly Hallows or is it just an empty threat? Read much more after the break. Read More »
