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*My* take-aways so far, which may change, as this story JUST got out:
#1: You have the option to see a WB movie in theaters or on HBO Max. It's accessibility for those who can't go to theaters or are too afraid to go.
#1: You have the option to see a WB movie in theaters or on HBO Max. It's accessibility for those who can't go to theaters or are too afraid to go.
#2: It looks to be the inverse of the Universal situation: Film in question is on HBO Max for the first 31 days, then it's exclusively in theaters AFTER that.
#3: And yes, it's definitely going to be long-term, but I don't know what it means for cinema in general just yet because my concern first and foremost is people's safety throughout 2021. It *could* work out for both theaters and streaming. Maybe.
Before anyone says anything, I don't want cinemas to die. At all. Second, I think accessibility should always be a major part of the window, which is why I wanted to keep an eye on Universal/AMC/Regal's strategy. Again, something that works for BOTH.
I always pictured my ideal scenario to be this: Two options, theaters if you want to sit in an auditorium watching it on a big screen with specific snacks on hand, or at home if you can't go/can't afford it frequently. I get people's worries, though. Could have a negative effect.
I see folks in the disabled community already satisfied with this news, so I don't see it is a bad thing, that is if - in a safe future - both sides benefit from it: Theaters still get attendance, and those have the option to view it at home. Who knows how it could all turn out.
It's easy to imagine most people saying "Nah, we can watch it at home." But there is still something special about a night out of the house, seeing a movie. Maybe you want to see it alone and have that experience. So I don't think it's the death-bell just yet. Maybe I'm dumb!
I'm just very curious to see how theaters respond to this. Make tickets/concessions more affordable? Keep changing the experience? (Cinemark, for example, wanted to introduce more dine-in/dinner-and-a-movie options) Sport more neat things you can't get at home? Eyes peeled.
