Source: Penske Media / Getty / AMC
AMC might be putting on a masterclass in self-sabotage with the announcement of its new ticket pricing system.
On Monday afternoon, AMC revealed that its Sightline initiative would set its ticket price based on where you enjoy your movie-watching experience. It will likely lead to battles for that highly coveted middle section.
Per NPR:
Seats on the front row are considered Value Sightline seats and cost less, while seats in the middle are called Preferred Sightline seats and will cost more. The remaining parts of the theater are Standard Sightline seats and will cost the price of a standard admission ticket.
Those who are members of AMC Stubs A-List, the top tier of the company’s reward program, can select Preferred Sightline seats for no extra cost.
If you cop movie tickets after 4 pm, Sightline-prices will be applied. However, the new initiative will not apply to AMC’s $5 Discount Tuesdays.
This heada** pricing structure is already available in select markets, with AMC set to introduce it at all movie locations at the end of the year.
“Sightline at AMC more closely aligns AMC’s seat pricing approach to that of many other entertainment venues, offering experienced-based pricing and another way for moviegoers to find value at the movies,” Executive Vice President Eliot Hamlisch said.
As Expected No One Likes AMC’s New Ticket Pricing Initiative
The initiative isn’t going over well with customers and even those in Hollywood. Actor Elijah Wood, best known for his role as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of The Rings trilogy, pointed out AMC’s new system would punish lower-income movie fans.
The movie theater is and always has been a sacred democratic space for all and this new initiative by @AMCTheatres would essentially penalize people for lower income and reward for higher income.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) February 6, 2023
We shall see if AMC will continue with this new pricing initiative or have an about-face after it will most likely flop. You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Photo: Penske Media / Getty
1. LOL
AMC Theaters after people refuse to pay for premium seating and $20 for popcorn and a drink pic.twitter.com/uFYFzQS1Jh
— JSWilliams1962 (@jswtreeman) February 6, 2023
2. Oof
I'm an @AMCTheatres A-List member. I saw 30+ movies at AMC theaters last year, and already 7 in 2023. And you know what? The vast majority of movies I've seen had 10-20 people in a theater that holds 150. They're EMPTY.
But go on, shoot yourselves in the foot, AMC. https://t.co/5LXwGc84bZ
— Lauren Miller (@laurenm) February 7, 2023
3. Accurate
All I read is “AMC theaters to fuck around and find out” https://t.co/1ASsoSdPCC
— Marvelous Marvin (@SimplyDop3) February 7, 2023
4.
Me at Cinemark avoiding AMC Theaters paying more for seats pic.twitter.com/m4ze4e0rwr
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) February 6, 2023
5.
Regal and Cinemark seeing AMC Theaters charge more for basic seating pic.twitter.com/QCOCadLbwJ
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) February 6, 2023
6.
So AMC Theaters is basically taking the “fuck it, let’s encourage people to stay home and stream” approach to reclaiming business?
— Hawkeye (@GeekyDad83) February 6, 2023
7.
AMC theaters says all ticket prices will be based on seat location by the end of 2023. In other news, AMC theaters will file bankruptcy by the end of 2023.
— Jackie Bouvier (@jackiembouvier) February 7, 2023
8.
Directors: “We need to get people back in theaters!”
AMC Theaters: *introduce tiered pricing to make it more expensive to get good seats in a theater* https://t.co/axHVCVVqfx
— Lena Luther Vandross (@LenaVandross) February 6, 2023
9.
Why do they find the need to make the movie going experience more complicated and more expensive? This is the dumbest shit I've heard. I'm trying to watch a movie, not go to a concert. #AMCTheaters https://t.co/hdE3bt2zPP
— A+ Opinions (@APlusOpinions) February 6, 2023
10.
Heartbreak is more expensive in a seat like this. https://t.co/pfbWef64pV
— Joe Russo (@joerussotweets) February 6, 2023
The post Disaster In The Making: AMC Will Have Moviegoers Battling For Middle Seats With New Ticket Pricing System appeared first on The Latest Hip-Hop News, Music and Media | Hip-Hop Wired.