Movie theaters are asking Congress for help dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. The overtly contagious nature of the virus allows it to spread easily in large groups. Therefore, precautions have been put in place nationwide to combat the coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19. To limit the places where people gather, practically all schools, offices, bars, restaurants, and movie theaters have been closed.
Regal and Showcase Cinemas were the first to close as AMC, Cinemark, and Alamo Drafthouse followed suit. Although Showcase hopes to reopen in April, the others have shut their doors indefinitely. The move is an adept reflection of this pandemic’s effect on the entertainment industry as a whole. Productions have come to a halt (with the exception of Mission: Impossible 7) and major movie releases are being pushed back — there won’t be anything new on the big screen for a while.
This means the 2020 box office will lose billions. Even though no tickets are being sold, theater owners and employees still have to pay rent. As a result, the National Association of Theatre Owners and its 150,000 employees, working in nearly every Congressional District, have asked the government for an emergency bailout. The proposed relief measures to Congress would include loan guarantees to help with the current liquidity squeeze. With no money coming in, the group is also asking for tax benefits to aid employers as they support their employees. Finally, the potential bailout would help theaters regain losses once they are able to open their doors. NATO had this to say when announcing the request Wednesday:
The business model of the movie theater industry is uniquely vulnerable in the present crisis. As we confront this evolving and unprecedented period, we call on Congress and the Administration to ensure that America’s movie theater industry and its tens of thousands of employees across the country can remain resilient.
For some, working or learning remotely isn’t a big deal. Those who provide an in-person service like making popcorn or checking tickets haven’t been granted that same luxury. In the meantime, NATO has withdrawn $1 million from its reserve to aid its employees who can't work right now. The organization also explains that more information about the fund should be available soon.
With the theaters closed, those in quarantine have an increasing number of home entertainment options. Films that weren't delayed like Bloodshot, will release on digital early. Similarly, Universal announced they would be releasing The Invisible Man and Trolls World Tour on VOD. Disney+ even recently added Frozen 2 to its library to keep subscribers happy. As streaming services become even more relevant, many studios may fully utilize the small screen’s accessibility. Having more to watch could actually help keep people in their homes until the coronavirus is contained. Fans can't go to the movie theater, but studios can bring it home to them.
Source: National Association of Theatre Owners
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