Hollywood's summer 2014 blockbuster woes are well-documented, but the problem wasn't exclusive to the warmer months. Last year overall movie theater attendance dropped to a 20-year low. And while there are a plethora of factors that can explain the plunge—including legal streaming and illegal downloading—research has confirmed rising ticket prices are most at fault.
A survey by PwC found customers are turned off most by high ticket prices, which reached an average of $8.08 in the third quarter of 2014. This comes even as theaters have offered better seating, newer technology, and more options at the concessions stand.
Despite the frighteningly low numbers from 2014, PwC experts expect to see an attendance surge this year. To bolster those figures PwC recommends theaters focus on the core audience of 18- to 34-year olds and frequent moviegoers, offer more "superfan" experiences, and do a better job of pimping the benefits of new technology.
As much as we complain about prices, though, PwC says lowering them isn't a viable option. So the best you can hope for is a better bang for your buck.
1.
[via Cinema Blend]
