Theater owners see upswing amid recession

posted by moviebuff82 on May 20, 2009 at 7:49 am

According to an article from the LA Times' website amist a major downturn, the major chains have seen attendance climb 14% vs. a year ago on strength of movie product and concession sales amist a decline in DVD sales of movies.

A strong showing at the multiplex has been one of the few bright spots for the Hollywood studios, which have been buffeted by losses in DVD sales that have long propped up the movie business.

More beneficially, however, the upswing at the box office has lifted theater operators, or “exhibitors” as they call themselves. Despite the tinsel associated with Hollywood, movie theaters have never been a glamour business and still generate income much like they did three-quarters of a century ago: Two-thirds from ticket sales, one-third from selling popcorn, soda and candy.