Gower Street’s Director of Theatrical Insights, Rob Mitchell, was interviewed this week for the UK’s The i newspaper, discussing the industry’s ongoing and quickly evolving theatrical vs. streaming debate. Rob spoke to journalist Francesca Steele for the article, titled “Cinema or sofa? The dilemma facing movie fans watching this summer’s blockbuster films“, which was published Friday (March 26).
As GODZILLA VS KONG opened in both theaters and on streaming platforms (dependent on territory) around the world this weekend, the article looked at the ever-changing offering to audiences of streaming vs theatrical. It included latest announcements from Cineworld about its newly announced deal with Warner Bros and Disney’s latest plans to release BLACK WIDOW and CRUELLA in a simultaneous theatrical/Disney+ Premium Access strategy this summer.
Discussing the reduced theatrical window deals increasingly being announced by exhibitors, Rob said it was an inevitable evolution the exhibition industry was “finally coming round to.” But he espoused the power of blockbusters on the big screen, saying “I don’t think anyone really believes that people will stop wanting the experience of big-screen cinema. The beauty of blockbusters has always been about events, promoting the idea that you can’t get the same thing at home.”
See the full article by clicking on the image below.
