Odeon bans all Universal Pictures films after skipping theatrical release
Leading UK cinema chain, Odeon has banned the screening of all films from Universal Pictures after the studio said it was to release some titles on digital platforms instead.
The Chief Executive of AMC Theaters, the world’s largest cinema chain operator and owner of Odeon, Adam Aron confirmed that the ban will apply to its 1,000 outlets globally when the lockdown is lifted.
The tension between the two spiralled out of control after NBCUniversal boasted about the success of its film ‘The Trolls World Tour’ on Sky. The film was given a direct release on Sky, skipping its cinema opening due to the lockdown. It is worth noting that both Sky and NBCUniversal are owned by Comcast.
Reports say that the film has clocked up $100m (£80m) as a premium video-on-demand (PVOD) title, priced at $19.99. It generated a further amount from Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
Jeff Shell, president and chief executive of NBCUniversal, told the Wall Street Journal the film had “exceeded our expectations and demonstrated the viability” of streaming.
“As soon as theatres reopen, we expect to release movies on both formats,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aron in a letter to the Chair of Universal Studios, Donna Langley said, “AMC believes that with this proposed action to go to the home and theatres simultaneously, Universal is breaking the business model and dealings between our two companies.”
He added, “Going forward, AMC will not license any Universal movies in any of our 1,000 theatres globally on these terms.”
It has been announced recently that ‘The King of Staten Islan’, another Universal film, will be premiering on digital platforms in June. It is also reported that next instalment in the horror film franchise ‘The Purge’ will also skip a cinema release.
