WHAT PEOPLE WATCH

Hopefully, the Cinema will find 2012 a stellar year; however, it will be bucking some headwinds from the Presidential election and Summer Olympics.  Nonetheless, consumer trends promise high demand for quality entertainment content.  Much of that demand is driven by the proliferation of smartphones, tablets, other mobile devices and smartTVs that allow consumers to view both movies and TV shows most anywhere, at any time they desire.  Luckily, they still do not have the impact of a cinema presentation - image and sound.  However cinemas must be cognizant of what is happening around them and consumer trends taking shape.

Over 57% of People View On-line Videos

According to Google, U.S. consumers own over 105 million smartphones, 61 million gaming consoles, and 20 million tablets.  Given that video consumption is in a hockey-stick growth pattern and users want to access video (including movies) - to say the trend for streaming content is strong has become a cliche'.
So, what are people watching?  Research I've read from a variety of sources, including: PriceWaterhouse, Nielsen, Fox Cable Networks, Turner Broadcasting, and Multichannel News, suggest that viewing premium content on mobile devices is unstoppable and has moved streaming video out of the "new media or early-adopter" category and placed it firmly into the "mainstream mass-market" sector.  Studies have found that the availability of content on multiple platforms helps build audiences because viewers can watch content they have missed - be it movies or TV shows.
These mega-trends in consumer behavior do not bode well for the Cinema overall but they will take time to fully manifest themselves allowing exhibitors time to  prepare for them and defend against them.

Best and Happy Movie Going!
Jim Lavorato