'No Happy Ending for Movie Theatres', Argues WSJ - No Matter Who Wins Warner Bros.

The article from Slashdot discusses the bleak outlook for movie theaters, regardless of who acquires Warner Bros. The Wall Street Journal's tech columnist points out that the U.S. box office revenue is down compared to both last year and pre-pandemic levels. The potential buyers, Netflix and Paramount Skydance, either represent a streaming service that may not prioritize theatrical releases or a studio burdened with debt, potentially leading to cost-cutting measures. Investor skepticism is evident in the declining stock prices of major cinema chains like Cinemark and AMC Entertainment, reflecting concerns about the future of theatrical distribution.

• •U.S. box office revenue is down compared to previous years.
• •Potential buyers of Warner Bros. pose challenges to theatrical releases.
• •Investors are showing skepticism through declining stock prices of cinema chains.