Read on Twitter
Wow, the paradigm has well and truly shifted. https://twitter.com/RottenTomatoes/status/1334566150856818689
Reading a lot of tweets about this I feel the need to add I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing and it certainly isn't The Death of Cinema people are crying.
Sure, as a strong advocate of the theatrical experience, the idea of people watching DUNE etc. on an iPhone is a bit depressing but data (both survey & sales/B.O) shows people do value the big screen.
I find the binary hysteria that streaming/theatrical can't coexist a bit maddening. I (used to) go to the cinema a lot, but there are times when either due to circumstance or whim I'd be equally happy to watch something at home.
Which is backed up again by the data which consistently shows high entertainment consumers will access/use whatever avenue suits them at that time either due to availabilty or particular situation.
Admittedly, i'm coming from a Distribution standpoint and I do feel for my friends in Exhibition who are having an extremely tough time, but I do believe they'll bounce back .
Arguably, the exhibition-controlled window system has been outdated for a long time and the deals which Univeral et al are striking in the US, sharing PVOD revenue with cinemas, again show it doesn't have to be either/or.
TL:DR; this isn't the death of cinema, it's a realignment of path to consumption where all can survive, and call me an optimist, but even thrive.
