BREAKING: AMC and Loews Merge
Filed under: Deals, Box Office, Exhibition
Apparently, you're not going to the movies anymore anyway, but if you were, this would be a big deal: AMC Entertainment and Loews Cinemas have announced a merger. They'll form the second-largest exhibition chain in the world, with 450 theaters in 13 countries, called AMC Entertainment Inc. There'll be an antitrust review, AMC will put forth financing, and then the deal could close in six to nine months.You guys did this. You know that, right? I mean, this isn't exactly Osama and Sadaam getting together for tea - I'm not sure this is even a bad thing, so I'm not *blaming* you. But when major exhibitors are struggling to the point where they have to join up in order to survive, clearly the mass cinema exodus is having an effect.
_thumbnail.jpg)
Fan Made: Steampunk 'Return of the Jedi' Figures_thumbnail.jpg)
Exclusive: 'A Christmas Tale' Poster Premiere_thumbnail.jpg)
Cinematical's Fourth Annual Halloween Costume Contest is Coming!
Netflix Unleashes Another Batch of "Forgotten" Flicks
Geek Daily: Wolverine, 'Batman 3', 'Punisher' and 'Kick-Ass'
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg){kind=spacer}
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-21-2005 @ 12:32PM
Bill Fant said...
Movie-going being a bit off just now is surely less of a factor than the earlier over-building that the chains did. The chains are responsible for the closing of a number of fine theatres in my area. I hope they do go down. Landmark will survive.
Reply
6-21-2005 @ 1:20PM
kerry said...
Man, I'm actually really happy about this (for once). I've always preferred the general atmosphere and experience at Loews theaters, but my favorite theatre (because of the 21 screens and the wide movie selection) is an AMC. I can't stand the stupid AMC ad reels before the movie, I hope Loews improves them. I have no hope of them going away, but maybe they'll get less obnoxious. ;)
Reply
6-21-2005 @ 4:27PM
zander106 said...
Here in New York there is only one AMC anyways, so in some ways this is not that big a deal. I like that theater because on the top level they show selected arthouse/indie movies relatively soon after their initial releases at Angelika or Sunshine Cinemas. The difference is that you get the comforts of a nicer theater with your movie (although Sunshine is actually pretty decent).
Having said that, I don't see this as being anything but bad for moviegoers. Corporate consolidation often leads to the narrowing of selection to what the boardroom taskmasters decree will make them the most money. Clear Channel, for instance, is dominating radio across the country and no one seems particularly happy about it as we are all force-fed the same major label music wherever we go. I don't know if that top floor at the Times Square AMC 25 will really keep playing indies after this.
Question for the editors: what is the number one exhibition chain in the world? Regal? And by how much? Most importantly -- what about my AMC Moviewatcher points?? I always enjoy that free popcorn every few visits....
Reply
6-21-2005 @ 5:41PM
karina said...
Regal is the largest chain in the world. I imagine, since AMC is acquiring Loews and not the other way around, that they'll honor your points, but I'm sure that kind of thing has yet to be worked out.
Reply