If you live in LA, New York City, and I presume other big cities, a first-run evening ticket is about $12. So factor in a family of four seeing an evening show is going to run them $50 alone before concessions and any parking fees are included. Even in cities where tickets still remain under $10 (less than you'd think), the bill can easily end up topping $60 when you add in family-sized refreshments and the like. The difference between this VOD offering and last Spring's disastrous 'Premium VOD' is that this will offer consumers the chance to see the movie while it's still in first run theaters and well-before it's available on DVD and other OnDemand-type sources. So while I can think of no one who would pay $60 to see a first-run film at home by themselves or even with another party, I do see the theoretical appeal of a bunch of friends or a larger family getting together and taking it in. What's your thoughts? Is this another botched attempt to circumvent the theatrical experience, or does the swiftness of said debut make it a more attractive option for larger parties?
Scott Mendelson
