Theaters Considering Opening For Free After Coronavirus Pandemic Passes

Once the novel coronavirus pandemic is at an end, there is the possibilities that theaters may be free for a bit in order to bring audiences back. ScreenRant reports that National Association of Theatre Owners chief communications officer Patrick Corcoran has acknowledged that the group is considering such an option to get people back once the crisis is done.

The tactic is a strategy that China has implemented due to the coronavirus, in which theaters reopened with running somewhat older films such as Avengers: Endgame and the Harry Potter films. The tactic would require some sort of financial support provided to theaters, which is something NATO has been seeking.

“We’re working on it. We are working on,” Corcoran said. “We’re looking at what’s been happening in China. In the provinces that were least affected, they’re starting to open their theaters, and they’re open for free to patrons to coax them back. The movies they’re showing are older ones. We will see… It’s going to depend. We’re both local and national markets, and our main distribution partners are very interested in national releases as opposed to local ones, so depending on how this virus goes, and whether it’s more severe in some places and lifts sooner or later, that’s all going to go into it. We’re looking at ways to reach out to our patrons and also to our studio partners about the best ways to message and roll things out once we’re back up and running.”