4 ms·

Plenty of customers probably don't mind, but the moment they will mind is when they want to see a movie that is sold out at one of their common theaters and go

Plenty of customers probably don't mind, but the moment they will mind is when they want to see a movie that is sold out at one of their common theaters and go to another theater not in the same chain. People do tend to use the same theaters except for special runs of movies or when movies are so big that you might need to go to another theater due to sold out showings at your favorites. I could see this non-issue of theater locked programs being heavily complained about when those types of customers get in that situation. The other problem I see with theater locked ones it that they give special treatment like cut in lines and such that may turn off non program patrons to a certain theater. Independent products just seem to also have the customer in mind more than the brand/theater itself, plus it creates competition for these customers if concessions is tied to it.

scarface74 8y ago
Plenty of customers probably don't mind, but the moment they will mind is when they want to see a movie that is sold out at one of their common theaters and go to another theater not in the same chain. With AMC Stubs A+, you buy the ticket in advance from the app (something you couldn’t do with movie pass). You would know if a movie is sold out. Some of the AMCs have reserved seating where you can choose your seat in advance from the app. That lets us get in after the commercials and trailers and still be guaranteed a good seat.
- drawkbox 8y ago
  Yeah, those are nice features, but I was mainly talking about when you check the app or buy the tickets ahead and it is sold out or doesn't have ideal reserved seating left, from there if you want to see it now you have to pay full price without the movie benefit at another chain. This can happen especially on opening nights. We always book our tickets online ahead of time and only go to reserved seating theaters without any service currently, reserved seating is a must for a good experience. For instance here in AZ we have AMC, Harkins, Regal and Alamo Drafthouses that have common theaters we go to. I'd prefer a service that they all are a part of, but it is probably just a dream, maybe a few can team up on it at least. I think a third party independent service focuses on the customer more and it seems like it would benefit gaining more customers to theater chains that aren't already locked in customers.
  - drawkbox 8y ago
    Edit: https://www.sinemia.com/ https://www.sinemia.com/ looks like it supports all theaters and will probably pick up the MoviePass customers who want independent from the theater chain subscription movies.
    - scarface74 8y ago
      And they have the same unsustainable business model.

scarface74 8y ago

Plenty of customers probably don't mind, but the moment they will mind is when they want to see a movie that is sold out at one of their common theaters and go to another theater not in the same chain. With AMC Stubs A+, you buy the ticket in advance from the app (something you couldn’t do with movie pass). You would know if a movie is sold out. Some of the AMCs have reserved seating where you can choose your seat in advance from the app. That lets us get in after the commercials and trailers and still be guaranteed a good seat.

drawkbox 8y ago
Yeah, those are nice features, but I was mainly talking about when you check the app or buy the tickets ahead and it is sold out or doesn't have ideal reserved seating left, from there if you want to see it now you have to pay full price without the movie benefit at another chain. This can happen especially on opening nights. We always book our tickets online ahead of time and only go to reserved seating theaters without any service currently, reserved seating is a must for a good experience. For instance here in AZ we have AMC, Harkins, Regal and Alamo Drafthouses that have common theaters we go to. I'd prefer a service that they all are a part of, but it is probably just a dream, maybe a few can team up on it at least. I think a third party independent service focuses on the customer more and it seems like it would benefit gaining more customers to theater chains that aren't already locked in customers.
- drawkbox 8y ago
  Edit: https://www.sinemia.com/ https://www.sinemia.com/ looks like it supports all theaters and will probably pick up the MoviePass customers who want independent from the theater chain subscription movies.
  - scarface74 8y ago
    And they have the same unsustainable business model.