‘Trolls World Tour’ Breaks Digital Records and Charts a New Path for Hollywood

Last month, as the nation’s movie theaters were days from closing down, executives at Comcast Corp. CMCSA 0.08% ’s Universal Pictures moved on a decision that would soon pay off handsomely. A massive marketing campaign was already under way for the studio’s April 10 release, “Trolls World Tour,” an animated sequel to the 2016 hit. The studio decided not to postpone the opening, instead making the movie available as a digital rental on platforms like Apple Inc.’s Apple TV for $19.99. Three weeks later, “Trolls World Tour” has racked up nearly $100 million in rentals.

This could accelerate the trend of releasing movies on streaming services, as opposed to in theaters.

If there is big money to be made in streaming, that could be the new norm eventually.

I’ve heard that many movie theaters are marginally financially making it. They make a profit from selling popcorn, not from selling tickets to the movie.

If Hollywood works this digital distribution of movies/TV series correctly, you'll see thousands of theaters closing to never open again. I read the other day that the largest theater chain is looking towards bankruptcy due to no customers. I believe it is AMC.

Interestingly, is the manufacturers of 4K Ultra High Definition TV's will benefit hugely. I have 2 made by LG and they are like looking through a window. 1080p High Definition doesn't even compare. The prices are dropping every year. I'm looking at which ones are public and their share prices. I believe streaming and even blue-ray discs for those who want a handy library are the future of entertainment.

Those 4k TV's have already been a hot item before COVID, because people got tired of phone/talk restrictions, and the ridiculous prices of the concession stands for munchies. However, that's always how theaters made their profits. Film is so 1990's. I know because I used to own/operate the largest film shipping/storage company (middleman) and watched as theaters transitioned from film to digital projection. With that evolving paradigm and Technicolor's huge parent company undercutting our shipping profits, we had to close. Still, I did well for about 10 years so no complaints.

Hope Technicolor is feeling the same pain now with making less film prints from the negatives and ruthlessly taking our shipping business, as I did then. What goes around...haha.

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