Dwelling leisure know-how makes it simpler than ever to remain in and catch a flick. That is why Meredith Goldsmith of Mason mentioned she does not go to the movie show anymore.
“With the Amazon Fireplace Stick, we will see all the motion pictures, new and outdated, from the consolation of our residence,” Goldsmith mentioned.
Goldsmith isn’t alone. Frequent moviegoers’ attendance dropped 10 p.c in 2016, based on a Selection report.
“Competitors with different types of leisure exercise will proceed to be a problem for the business,” mentioned Tim McGriff, director of selling for Cobb Theatres and CineBistro, which has a location at Liberty Heart in Liberty Township. “There are a number of methods to view a film with the growing types of know-how out there on private gadgets and residential leisure programs.”
Selection’s report confirmed attendance drops throughout nearly all demographics, together with ages 18 to 24 (down 25 p.c), ages 40 to 49 (down 23.5 p.c) and ages 50 to 59 (down 21 p.c.)
Within the 18 to 24 demographic, 2016 marked the fourth consecutive yr for a decline.
Because of this, movie show corporations, recognizing the challenges they face, are investing in upgrades to deliver crowds again.
Newport on the Levee’s announcement in early March about AMC Theatres’ $8 million renovation venture is the most recent instance. The renovations, scheduled to begin this fall, embrace including full reclining energy seats to all non-IMAX theaters. Every theater can even get a whole overhaul of its projection and sound tools to create a “state-of-the-art expertise,” based on AMC Theatres’ information launch.
Foyer at AMC 20 Newport Theaters
Meals and beverage choices additionally will get an improve at MacGuffins Bar and thru new concession gadgets.
“Our purpose is a extra fulfilling expertise,” mentioned Harold Boring, supervisor of AMC Newport on the Levee. “We’re creating out-of-home leisure that can entice you to go away your lounge and large-screen TV to take pleasure in the brand new know-how.”
Milford subsequent in line for Cinemark upgrades
AMC Newport isn’t the one theater trying to up its recreation to draw prospects.
Cinemark, with places in Oakley Station, Western Hills, Milford and Florence, additionally understands the necessity for innovation to maintain prospects desirous to return.
“I consider Cincinnati-area moviegoers have seen that Cinemark will do no matter it takes to improve and replace our theaters,” mentioned Bryan Jeffries, vp of selling and promotions for Cinemark USA. “We’re continually making an attempt new methods to reinforce the cinema expertise for our visitors.”
Jeffries pointed to new electrical recliners in Western Hills and Oakley Station and an expanded menu, together with beer and wine, within the majority of Cinemark’s Cincinnati theaters as current enhancements. Oakley Station additionally has Cinemark XD, a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling film expertise that immerses viewers into the world of the film. The Florence location has a VIP seating space for visitors ages 21 and over. The realm presents outsized chairs and permits visitors to order dinner at their seats.
Cinemark’s Milford location is the one one which has not obtained these upgrades, which Jeffries mentioned he knew put the theater at a drawback in comparison with different native venues.
“I am completely satisfied to say that we’ll be updating our Milford theater with these similar new facilities towards the tip of the yr,” he mentioned. “Cinemark feels it is essential to remain forward of the traits with a view to proceed to be the popular approach to watch a film.”
Embracing the ‘social expertise’
When cinemas first opened within the early 20th century, many individuals noticed going to the films as a significant occasion.
Liberty Heart’s Cobb Theatres and CineBistro location appears to recapture that sense of pleasure with its choices.
“The theater business has been in existence for over 100 years, and the one factor that continues to be fixed is the will to get out of the home for leisure,” mentioned McGriff, Cobb Theatres and CineBistro’s advertising director. “It’s a true social expertise to see a film in an auditorium with mates, household and different visitors.”
Devon Rollbuhler of Liberty Township agreed.
“It is all concerning the expertise, leaving the home and going out to do one thing enjoyable,” she mentioned. “I like motion pictures, so it’s value it to me to pay for the total expertise with the large display and the improved results.”
Now moviegoers can take pleasure in dinner and a film beneath one roof. Cobbster’s Kitchen is a full-service, informal restaurant. There’s additionally a bar and lounge for folks to go to earlier than or after seeing a film.
The CineBistro bar enhances the movie-going expertise.
Cobb’s concession stands provide not solely conventional snacks similar to sweet, soda and popcorn but in addition pizza, soft-serve yogurt and a espresso bar. And the CineBistro part permits visitors age 21 and as much as come to the theater early, take their reserved seat and have a chef-prepared meal introduced proper to them.
“The dinner-and-a-movie idea is extraordinarily well-liked and a optimistic change for the business,” McGriff mentioned. “We’re redefining the movie-going expertise by providing a refined and expanded ‘day or evening on the motion pictures’ centered on high quality, consolation and comfort.”
Rebecca Paciorek of Middletown, who visited CineBistro together with her husband on March 30, mentioned she appreciated the theater’s facilities.
“Not solely was it enjoyable to have the ability to eat whereas we watch the film, however I actually loved not having a bunch of children in there after I noticed ‘Magnificence and the Beast’,” she mentioned. “Sure, I’ve kids and I take them to the films. However for a date, this was an ideal expertise.”
