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Tag: movie theatres

  • 30 per cent prefer OTT platforms to watch new movies: Axis My India Survey

    30 per cent prefer OTT platforms to watch new movies: Axis My India Survey

    Mumbai: Axis My India, in a report on India’s Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) published on Thursday, found that a significant 30 per cent of viewers prefer to watch the latest movies on over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

    The survey, conducted for monthly consumption on various issues, revealed that 24 per cent of viewers choose movie theatres to watch the latest movies, while 45 per cent wait for them to air on television.

    The study further stated that six per cent of respondents are looking forward to using the metaverse (augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)).

    Also, 12 per cent of individuals polled said the content produced by them for social media handles like Instagram or YouTube reflected the rising generation of content creators.

    Commenting on the CSI report, Axis My India MD and chairman Pradeep Gupta said, “The internet in general and social media in particular have shaped consumer experiences in all spheres of life. From creating content for Instagram/YouTube to using AR/VR for testing and buying products, consumers have found ways to express their individualities amongst their online and physical social networks. In addition, the internet has provided flexibility due to which, despite big screen launches, consumers are growing to prefer OTT for their viewing medium. The potential of the world-wide-web is huge and is only evolving, and one can only expect it to further enrich consumer experiences.”

    The October net CSI score, calculated by percentage increase minus percentage decrease in sentiment, is at +8, from +10 last month, reflecting a decrease by two points.

    The sentiment study examines five pertinent sub-indices, including total household expenditure; spending on necessities and wants; healthcare spending; media consumption patterns; and mobility trends.

    The survey was carried out via computer-aided telephonic interviews with a sample size of 10,058 people across 32 states and UTs. 67 per cent belonged to rural India, while 37 per cent belonged to urban counterparts. In terms of regional spread, 24 per cent belong to the northern parts while 23 per cent belong to the eastern parts of India. Moreover, 28 per cent and 25 per cent belonged to the western and southern parts of India, respectively. 61 per cent of the respondents were male, while 39 per cent were female. In terms of the two majority sample groups, 34 per cent reflect the age group of 36 to 50, while 30 per cent reflect the age group of 26 to 35.

    Check out the key findings of the reports here:

    •  In comparison to last year, 21 per cent of consumers plan to spend more this holiday season. This sentiment has improved by one per cent since last month.
    • This festive season, a majority of 78 per cent plan to shop from local physical retail stores, while 14 per cent plan to shop from e-commerce majors like Amazon & Flipkart
    • Overall household spending has increased for 58 per cent of families, which reflects a decrease of three per cent from last month. The net score, which increased by 53 per cent last month, has now decreased by four percent to 49 per cent this month.
    • Families’ spending on necessities like personal care and household items has increased by 44 per cent, a two-percent decrease from the previous month. The net score, which was at 29 per cent last month, has decreased by three per cent to 26 per cent this month.
    • Families’ spending on non-essential and discretionary items such as air conditioning, cars, and refrigerators has increased by nine per cent, an additional two per cent from the previous month. The net score, which increased by two per cent last month, has improved by an additional three per cent this month. This marks heightened consumer sentiment towards the festivities.
    • Health and fitness continue to remain important for consumers amidst the festive season, wherein expenses towards health-related items have increased for 37 per cent of families. The health score, which has a negative connotation i.e., the less spent on health items, the better the sentiments, has a net score value decreased by 22 per cent, an increase of one per cent as compared to last month.
    • Media consumption remains the same as the last two months at 19 per cent. The overall net score, which decreased by one per cent last month, increased by three per cent this time.
    • Mobility has increased for six per cent of the families, which reflects a decrease of one per cent from last month. The overall mobility net indicator score, which was nil last month, has been reported to increase three per cent this month.
  • PVR deploys antiviral air purification system in cinemas

    PVR deploys antiviral air purification system in cinemas

    Mumbai: PVR Cinemas has deployed a cinema-specific ion technology that claims to neutralise 99.9 per cent of airborne viruses. The negative ion generator devices are installed at key locations inside cinemas including the auditoriums where the guests spend the maximum time.

    This is the only device designed for cinemas and has been successfully tested on SARS Covid-2 virus at ICMR recognised and Dubai Central labs, said PVR in a media statement on Tuesday. “It offers real-time air sterilisation by using non-chemical negative ION generator that discharges up to 100 trillion negative ions per cm3 / second providing a 360-degree protection,” it added.

    This new technology is part of PVR’s enhanced safety initiative ‘PVR Cares’ that ensures that cinemas are safe in every possible way for both guests and staff across every touchpoint in their cinema journey.

    “The country has reached a sustained endemic state and audiences have resumed their big screen movie watching experience supported by a robust content pipeline. It is a very heart-warming development for us and goes to show that our patrons are satisfied with the safety measures adopted,” said PVR Ltd CEO Gautam Dutta. “There is still a section of consumers who have stayed away from the big screen on the apprehensions of safety and deploying this technology helps us to address their concerns.’’

  • UFO Moviez posts Rs 265 mn consolidated revenue for Q2FY22

    UFO Moviez posts Rs 265 mn consolidated revenue for Q2FY22

    Mumbai: In-cinema advertising platform UFO Moviez on Thursday announced its financial results for the quarter and half year ended on 30 September.

    Consolidated revenue stood for at Rs 265 million (Q2FY21 – Rs 128 million), and EBITDA at minus (-) Rs 152 million (Q2FY21 – minus (-) Rs 218 million).

    Consolidated revenue for H1FY22 was Rs 546 million (H1FY21 – Rs 306 million) and EBITDA stood at minus (-) Rs 332 million (H1FY21 – minus (-) Rs 450 million).

    In the quarter under review, theatres reopened from July in a staggered manner, except for Maharashtra, which resulted in Hindi films delaying their release dates. However, in the South and other regional markets, films were released despite restrictions on seating capacity. This led to a gradual revival in the company’s revenue and a reduction in cash losses.

    Maharashtra and Kerala allowed the reopening of theatres beginning on  22 October and 25 October, respectively. Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh are operating at 100 per cent occupancy, while most other states are permitted to operate at 50-60 per cent.

    “During the quarter, there were no Hindi movie releases as theatres in major markets like Maharashtra were not permitted to reopen. However, regional movies performed well at the box office,” said UFO Moviez joint managing director Kapil Agarwal. 

    “With the opening of Cinemas in Maharashtra and Kerala, Hindi and Non-Hindi markets are now fully operational. Recently, Sooryavanshi was released on more than 1600 UFO screens and the much-awaited Rajnikanth movie, Annaatthe, distributed by UFO in the Hindi circuit, was released in more than 700 UFO screens in all languages. Despite the occupancy restrictions, both the movies had a blockbuster opening weekend, collecting 100 plus crores each worldwide. This reaffirms the importance of cinemas. Also, the movie pipeline for the next six to eight months is extremely strong. We expect the film exhibition industry to recover at a rapid pace and are confident that UFO’s business and financial performance will be restored very soon,” he added.

    Further, the board of directors, in its meeting held on 3 November, approved the preferential allotment of 93,99,933 equity shares aggregating to Rs 96.82 crore to Nepean Focused Investment Fund, a scheme of investment of Nepean Investment Trust II, a category II alternative investment fund registered with Securities and Exchange Board of India at a price of Rs 103.01 per equity share, as per applicable rules and regulations. This preferential issue is subject to necessary approvals.

  • It’s back to the movies in West Bengal from 1 October

    It’s back to the movies in West Bengal from 1 October

    MUMBAI: Cinema owners in west Bengal are heaving a sigh of relief. West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee today announced that cinema halls can start screening films for the public come 1 October.  In the process, it has become the first state government to give the green signal to the beleaguered cinema exhibition sector which has been shut since March 2020 and has run up huge losses.

    However, screenings will be limited to 50 participants and cinema halls will have to follow strict safety protocols such as masks, sanitisation, physical distancing and other precautionary procedures. Along with film screenings, jatras, plays, open-air theatres, and shows related to music, dance and magic shows will also open from 1 October. Banerjee said the decision was taken as another step to take living to near normalcy.

    Bengali actors, the Eastern India Motion Pictures Association and the Multiplex Association of India  (MAI) – have repeatedly beseeched the state government to  give the sector the go ahead to start operating again. The state has reported 4,700-odd Covid related deaths with 244,000 getting infected and 214,000 recovering. Around 3,200 new cases are being recorded daily.

    Producers and distributors have been releasing films direct to OTT over the past few months in order to cut their losses. It’s quite probable that some of them will start looking at the big screen again.

    Commenting on the development, SVF co-founder and director Mahendra Soni said: “We are happy and welcome Didi’s announcement. This is a huge relief for the exhibition industry. Having said that to restart the actual business the re-opening has to happen at a national level otherwise there would difficulty running the theatre operations without new film releases. I am hoping to get some kind of announcement from central government too. "

    "As far as SVF Cinemas is concerned we are waiting for detailed guidelines and safety protocols before we decide on the opening date. We will open as soon as possible once we have the official notification along-with do’s and don’ts," he added.

    With West Bengal opening up movie theatres, will other state governments follow? The MAI, for one, is hoping they will, sooner than later.  

  • Multiplex Association, FICCI release safety plan for theatres to restart

    Multiplex Association, FICCI release safety plan for theatres to restart

    MUMBAI: Multiplex Association of India (MAI) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) have come up with detailed 12-point safety and enhanced precaution plan to be adopted by cinema halls. They have submitted the proposal to the ministry of information and broadcasting and various state governments. With India opening up for business slowly from the Covid2019 lockdown, it is expected that cinema halls and multiplexes may open up with a lot of restrictions.

    Movie critic-film trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted: “Multiplex association of India submits enhanced safety and precautions plan for cinemas to information & broadcasting ministry and various state governments.” Terming it as a very important development, he shared a detailed layout of how multiplexes will focus more on the safety of cinema lovers.

    The association urges cine-goers to follow the social distancing rules and have minimal human contact. They will also have to ensure that they are doing everything in their capacity to maintain strict hygiene levels.

    In order to keep multiplexes disinfected and clean, the association points out that theatre staff has to disinfect all areas, including ticket counter, security area, lobby, auditorium, food and beverage stand, restrooms, and even exit doors.

    While maintaining social distancing, multiplexes should check the body temperature of each person with infrared scanners, to make the wearing of masks compulsory in the premises. PPE kits will also be made available for purchase and hand sanitizers placed at all strategic locations.

    Digital transactions will be encouraged at the ticket counter. And, film enthusiasts will also be required to stand in demarcated circles at all times within the premises. Similarly, cine-goers will be urged to order food items digitally at the theatre, and the theatre should only sell single-use disposable packaging for food and drinks. Premium theatres will serve using proper cutlery and crockery.

    The association explains that families, groups, and couples will be seated together as per global cinema standards. However, one adjacent seat will be left empty as a precautionary social distancing measure in ordinary theatres. However, no seats will be left empty at luxury auditoriums as the reclining seats already have enough gap between them, the guidelines point out.

    Besides normal cleaning, the staff will be required to deep clean seats and all the frequently used locations at the theatre on a daily basis. Moreover, the staff will also have to wear masks and gloves at all times during working hours. They also will have to download the Aarogya Setu app on a mandatory basis.

    Sanitization and disinfectants that will be used to clean the theatre and its surroundings will be purchased only from authenticated suppliers. Film enthusiasts will be encouraged to use alternate urinals.

    To increase the awareness among the viewers, all precautionary measures will be promoted through various mediums inside the cinema hall. The staff will have to be swift and efficient in managing the crowd and detecting possible cases. And, the use of single-use, 3D glasses will be promoted.

    With the aim of keeping cinemas safe for India, the association states that the aforementioned stringent precautions will be implemented for the first two months from the day operation resumes. Post two months, the situation will be reviewed and an appropriate decision will be taken accordingly.

    It’s been almost two months now since cinema halls stopped operating. Many production houses have started releasing their films on OTT platforms. This has irked the multiplexes which are eager to restart the cinemas.