In recent years, we’ve witnessed a stark contrast between the struggles faced by traditional cinemas and the soaring success of streaming services. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but can they find a way to coexist in harmony?
The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a heavy blow to the cinema industry, leading to the closure of many popular cinema chains, including AMC. Film experts, such as Christopher Nolan, voiced their concerns about the future of cinemas, highlighting the need to save this beloved pastime.
However, the pandemic also brought to light the high cost of cinema trips, especially for families. Staying at home not only kept people safe but also helped them realize the potential savings that could be made by avoiding expensive cinema visits. To enjoy the full cinema experience with the best seats and snacks, one would have to spend significantly more than watching a movie at home.
Furthermore, cinemas are not planning to lower their prices any time soon. AMC recently announced a new plan to raise ticket prices based on seat location, making it even more expensive for moviegoers to indulge in this activity.
The decline in cinema popularity has been compounded by the rise of streaming services, which offer a much wider range of movies and TV shows, often available much sooner than traditional cinemas. For instance, the Fabelmans became available to buy or rent at home just a month after its theatrical release.
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO Max & Hulu are some streaming platforms that have impacted cinemas such as Odeon & Cineworld, just to name a few.
However, streaming services face their own challenges, including the complexity of switching devices, fragmentation, and the need to balance apps globally. Device makers, app developers, and service providers must find new solutions to make content navigation easier for consumers while balancing complexity and commonality in app design.
Despite the challenges faced by both cinemas and streaming services, there is a viable solution in the form of a hybrid model. This approach involves studios releasing their films in cinemas first, followed by a subsequent release on streaming platforms or a concurrent release while the film is still in cinemas. By adopting this approach, cinemas and streaming services can work together to overcome the obstacles that have arisen in the wake of the pandemic.
Undoubtedly, the pandemic has drastically altered the entertainment landscape, leaving traditional cinemas and streaming services to adapt to the changing times in order to survive. The key to success lies in creative thinking and innovative solutions. With a hybrid model, cinemas and streaming services can complement each other, providing moviegoers with the best of both worlds. Let us hope that this collaboration will pave the way for a bright future for the entertainment industry.