What They Say
An article in the New York Times highlighted that a Marvel movie called ‘Black Widow’ has shown that it is possible for cinema and streaming releases to co-exist successfully. The title made $80 million from cinema-goers in the US and Canada along with $78 million overseas, which together represents 17 million people saw it. In addition, it raised another $60 million through Disney+ at a rental premium of $30.
What We Think
I remember talking to a cinema executive who explained to me that multiplexes work on the basis that the ‘blockbusters’ bring in many to the cinema. However, if it a title is really successful, the particular screen is full. Having come to the theatre, people will then go into an alternative movie to eat their popcorn. As a result there was a kind of ‘halo effect’ that drove revenues for other content. The kind of hybrid model seen with Black Widow will probably reduce this effect, which could mean less variety in titles. (BR)
