Gower Street’s Director of Theatrical Insights, Rob Mitchell, was quoted in this week’s print issue of Screen International and online at Screendaily, discussing the 2020 box office results in UK/Ireland. The analytical article by Charles Gant, titled “Analysis: UK and Ireland box office fell 76% in 2020” asked what the lasting impact of the COVID-19 virus’ influence might be on the UK box office.
Rob suggested that the UK’s over-reliance on US product had been a disadvantage compared to some other international markets. “In territories that are very reliant on Hollywood content, we just haven’t had enough product to draw people back and to regain consumer confidence,” he told Screen. Rob also highlighted the lack of family product on offer in the open summer months, when a pre-pandemic holdover like ONWARD was ably demonstrating an audience appetite.
Other contributors interviewed for the piece included Andy Leyshon, Chief Executive of the UK’s Film Distributors’ Association, and Phil Clapp, Chief Executive of the UK Cinema Association.
Gower Street data for Germany was also mentioned in a Screendaily article focused on French box office performance in 2020.
