Consumers Prefer Movies At Home

Ubergrendle writes "A poll conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Associated Press and AOL confirmed that 73% of movie viewers prefer to watch movies at home rather than at a theater. This article comes on the heels of a consistently poor box office this year, even despite the presence of the new Star Wars film. Despite this demand for home viewing, only 5% admitted to downloading a movie from the internet."

Comments

The Big Screen

[NetSettler]

If you think the numbers are high now, just imagine how high they will be when large flatscreens get cheap...

They don't call theaters "The Big Screen" for nothing.

And besides, in all the rush to have more choices for moviegoers at theaters, the Big Screens you get at theaters are getting smaller while the ones you get at home are getting larger. As theaters make more and more small rooms to watch in that aren't that dissimilar to home, what's the difference other than sharing the room with a lot of noisy strangers.

Eventually, to survive, I predict that theaters will have to go back to the really big screen. Or start featuring other things, like food, just as air conditioning was once a big draw (and might be again if the poor in the US keep getting poorer and return to the days where they can't afford "basic needs" like dvd players and air conditioners).

There may also be a few kinds of specialty movies, like comedies, where a critical mass of people who are smart enough to get the jokes and make others realize it's time to laugh doesn't hurt either...

That's why I like LIVE theatre

[neonfrog]

I agree with you, the social aspect is kind of important. But theatre beats movies for that hands down.

* You and your friends not only have an event to talk about, you have an event that only you saw (every live theatre performance is a little different)

* One word: Intermission (bathroom AND discussion about what's coming next!)

* You know exactly where your money is going because you can SEE actual people and stuff in like 3D or something (OH! THAT'S what reality is!)

* You support LOCAL arts and often even get a voice in what those will be (surveys about upcoming shows, comment cards for the one you just saw, etc.)

* When there are special effects, they are especially interesting because they are decidedly NOT computer generated!

* A movie has to shred your ears and eyes with "CRASH BANG!" and vibrate your seat with 8Hz explosion bass to "immerse" you in the experience. Theatre just uses people which automatically piques your interest and you focus on the event more closely. YOU create your own immersion out of inrigue and desire. You aren't pummeled with "immersion" tactics.

I have seen 3 movies in the theatre in the last 5 years -- LOTR*. The story was important to me because I'd read, nay worshipped, the books for years and years. It's gotta be that big for me to spend my money that way versus supporting a local live show.

I actually remember MORE fondly the experience of watching the LOTR director's cuts at a friend's house with a small gathering of people with whom I usually frequent the live theatre scene!

* I did see one other movie in the theatre during that time frame, but I was on a date with the person who soon became my wife. The movie wasn't really the point.