People continue to wonder why the theater movie industry is failing. But besides their inability to come up with entertaining flicks, they are their own worst enemy and the Odyssey is another example.
Why would people get dressed up, drive to the theater, get a seat that may or may not be comfortable, and spend a fortune on popcorn, when the movies are coming into the streaming market almost immediately. “The Odyssey” is expected to debut on premium video on demand (PVOD) around November 17, approximately 123 days after its theatrical release.
When you compare that to movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark that was in theaters for over 40 weeks, you can see where the disconnect lies. Reasons for the early streaming are:
Marketing Efficiency: Studios can capitalize on the expensive promotional campaigns required for a theatrical release by quickly transitioning the film to home viewing while public interest is still high.
Streaming Retention: Media companies own their own streaming platforms (e.g., Disney+, Max, Peacock) and prioritize fresh, high-profile content to attract and retain subscribers.
Changing Consumer Habits: The rising costs of traditional theater outings, coupled with evolving post-pandemic habits, have led many viewers to prefer the convenience and affordability of watching movies at home.
Quick Cost Recovery: For films that do not perform exceptionally well at the box office, studios can recoup their marketing and production budgets much faster through digital rental fees. It’s all about the bucks. And if they think they have a bomb, they throw it to streaming.
wy69
And related to what you said, most people have the nice widescreen TV sets nowadays, which provide a crisp sharp sizable picture to watch at home.
I know some people say that some movies really should be seen in a theater on a large screen , with all the sound effects of theater sound systems. But with today’s widescreen TVs, is the a theater experience really superior to what you get at home nowadays?
I didn’t realize movies go to streaming so quickly after theatrical release nowadays. I’m sure critical masses of people just figure, even if there’s a movie they want to see, they’ll just watch it when it comes on streaming services.