Sony Pictures Bosses Slam Day & Date Release Model As “Devastating To Our Collective Business"

Sony Pictures Bosses Slam Day & Date Release Model As “Devastating To Our Collective Business"

Before screening footage from several of their upcoming theatrical-only releases during last night's CinemaCon presentation, Sony brass took the opportunity to slam the current day & date strategy.

By MarkCassidy - Aug 24, 2021 06:08 AM EST
Filed Under: No Way Home
Source: Via Deadline

While most would agree that the current day and date theatrical/streaming strategy employed by major studios such as Disney/Marvel and Warner Bros. was brought about by necessity because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many within the industry have been against it from the start, and whichever way you choose to look it, it's clear that this model has negatively impacted box office takings.

At the end of the day, if the majority of people can watch a movie at home for free (or even fork out $30 for Disney+ Premiere Access), then that's what they're going to do - especially in the current climate.

Ahead of last night's CinemaCon presentation, Sony Pictures bosses Josh Greenstein and Tom Rothman reiterated the studio's “commitment to protecting and preserving the theatrical window” while taking a jab at the simultaneous theatrical/streaming model.

“Debuting movies simultaneously in theaters and in the home is devastating to our collective business,” began Greenstein. "Our movies will be seen exclusive first in our movie theaters. Movie theaters and the theatrical movie experience will triumph."

“Over the last 19 months there’s been a lot of doom and gloom,” he continued. “Without dismissing the very real challenges, we at Sony take a long-term view of the movie business.”

Rothman, who was taking a break from his vacation in Cape Cod, then weighed in, citing Disney/20th Century Studios' recent Free Guy as an example of a movie that's done solid business because it's a theatrical-only release.

“I saw Free Guy on Cape Cod,” Rothman told the crowd. “That film has done great business because, number one it’s terrific and number two, you actually can’t watch it at home on television! Go f***ing figure. You remember Bill Clinton and it’s ‘the economy stupid?’ It’s the window stupid! Yeah, we’re not too bright out in Hollywood but we’ll figure it out.”

What do you guys think? Would you like to see the day and date strategy become a thing of the past, or would you prefer if streaming was still an option going forward?

Tom Holland Shares Disappointment With SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME - I Might Have Done Three Days On Location
Related:

Tom Holland Shares Disappointment With SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME - "I Might Have Done Three Days On Location"

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Star Charlie Cox Recalls Cut Reference To 2003's DAREDEVIL During His MCU Debut
Recommended For You:

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Star Charlie Cox Recalls Cut Reference To 2003's DAREDEVIL During His MCU Debut

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2 3
The1st
The1st - 8/24/2021, 6:22 AM
Sony Pictures bosses are “Devastating To Their Collective Business"

SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 8/24/2021, 6:41 AM
@The1st - CEO wanted to say "It's devastating to Sony that we don't have a streaming service and even more devastating that Spiderman is the only franchise keeping us afloat because we have greenlit some trash over the years".
ShimmyShimmyYA
ShimmyShimmyYA - 8/24/2021, 6:49 AM
@SonOfAGif - there’s been rumors pointing to them starting one that’s tied into PlayStation plus
Kozmik
Kozmik - 8/24/2021, 7:58 AM
@The1st - True, though they're they're right about simultaneous release. It's killing theaters.
SauronthePower
SauronthePower - 8/24/2021, 9:53 AM
@The1st - Rothman is 1000% on point with this.

The math is so unbelievably simple and silly that even a child could figure it out.

But………….Chapek has to plow on with his precious narrative.
Nightwing1015
Nightwing1015 - 8/24/2021, 3:10 PM
@SonOfAGif - Well technically they have Jumanji, those films did really well
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/24/2021, 6:24 AM
With Sony the only major movie studio without a big streaming service, they don't really have the option for day-and-date anyway. But maybe thats also why they don't have a service, since they still believe strongly in tv and cinema
Kozmik
Kozmik - 8/24/2021, 7:58 AM
@bkmeijer - Exactly. Not only doesn't Sony have a streaming service, they're not the only studio that shouldn't.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/24/2021, 8:04 AM
@Kozmik - I would rather just see them cut a deal with Netflix or another existing service, since they do have a good library (same with Universal and Paramount). Just not one that I think warrants a seperate service
Kozmik
Kozmik - 8/24/2021, 8:52 AM
@bkmeijer - Bingo! That's what I wish most studios would do. When they create streaming channels all they're doing is fragmenting the landscape, just what they did with cable (never mind taking billions to build out the infrastructure).

There's a such thing as too much choice and at some point (if not right now) people are going to start opting out. As a studio if you just align yourself with a streaming channel, it's all profit.
Hulkh8liars
Hulkh8liars - 8/24/2021, 8:59 AM
@bkmeijer - Sony has crackle
generictheeric
generictheeric - 8/24/2021, 9:08 AM
@Hulkh8liars - ^ Yup Crackle. The "straight-to-DVD" of the streaming world.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/24/2021, 9:34 AM
@Kozmik - even though HBO Max, Paramount+ and Peacock or only US-based so far, I can see them going international soon (especially HBO Max). Still waiting for the streaming services for streaming services where we can just add the different accounts into one interface
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/24/2021, 9:35 AM
@Hulkh8liars - Crack what?

Never heard of it. Might be due to the very unmarketable name
Hulkh8liars
Hulkh8liars - 8/24/2021, 10:44 AM
@generictheeric - it's not great but it's free
Hulkh8liars
Hulkh8liars - 8/24/2021, 10:50 AM
@bkmeijer - it's got a few good things on it. Plus it's free
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/24/2021, 11:00 AM
@Hulkh8liars - ofcourse I get the classic "not available in your region". Benefit of living outside the States
SpiderBloke2099
SpiderBloke2099 - 8/24/2021, 11:42 AM
@bkmeijer - Paramount Plus is moving to being international, they've already launched it outside the US in some countries (I think Aus and NZ), but I've not seen anything on a UK or Europe launch yet. It's why they changed the name from CBS All Access.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/24/2021, 11:52 AM
@SpiderBloke2099 - that part makes sense, but having another streaming service just feels too much. There's not even a lot of stuff Paramount has that I think I need another service for
generictheeric
generictheeric - 8/24/2021, 7:58 PM
@bkmeijer - Google TV is pretty much that. Reelgood is also pretty close.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/25/2021, 12:30 AM
@generictheeric - Google TV is indeed what I mean. Crazy I haven't heard about it before
MrDandy
MrDandy - 8/24/2021, 6:27 AM
To be fair….Disney with the lawsuits and Free Guy’s success and bad returns due to steaming has also switched to Theatrical—Only….so they’d probably agree lol
JFerguson
JFerguson - 8/24/2021, 6:30 AM
They might want to rethink this stance if another Covid variant hits. Otherwise

bobevanz
bobevanz - 8/25/2021, 1:20 AM
@JFerguson - better get the shot 🤷‍♂️
1 2 3
View Recorder