AusLeisure

Facing stagnating ticket sales, Australia’s major cinema chains are discounting ticket with the nation’s ‘big three’ chains, Hoyts, Event and Village, following the lead of Reading Cinemas in introducing $10 movie tickets.

Following declining audiences, Reading Cinemas, owned by US-based Reading International, recently introduced $10 standard screen tickets at its 19 locations in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

In a recent advisory note, Citi Research analyst Sam Teeger commented “in our view, Reading’s disruptive pricing could put pressure on ticket pricing across the whole industry as competitors respond with their own price cuts.

“Our analysis shows that Event, Hoyts and Village have responded to Reading’s pricing in certain markets.”

Those include discounted tickets for Event Cinebuzz members at cinemas including Parramatta, Top Ryde and Castle Hill (all NSW), where members can buy tickets for $10 and at other sites for between $8 to $12, lower prices at Village’s Geelong cinema - 14 minutes away from Reading’s venue at Waurn Ponds, Victoria - which now offers $11 tickets, and Hoyts reducing prices at three of its Adelaide cinemas to $10.

Teeger advised “we are concerned that this price pressure could have industry-wide implications, commenting that the competitive threat from Reading was set to increase, particularly in Brisbane, where a new eight-screen cinema at Newmarket is set to open later this year.

He added “the Reading complex will include a 10,000 square foot dining precinct, four restaurants have signed letters of intent to be part of it, with Reading aiming for four more.

“While we appreciate this is only one cinema, keep in mind the impact Hoyts Chatsdone had when it opened in 1H17 and Newmarket is only a 14-minute drive from Event Brisbane City, 17 minutes from Event Indooroopilly and 13 minutes from Event Chermside.

“Reading is planning to open additional Australian/NZ cinemas over the medium term, with five new cinema deals approved at the start of this year.”

Commenting Reading’s introduction of premium seating, a trend that has seen the major chains move to increase revenue per customer that has led an increase in the top ticket price of more than 61% the past decade from $15.50 to $25, Teeger continues “‘premiumisation’ (Gold Class, VMax etc.) has been a tailwind for Village and Event in recent years and we see the increasing focus by Hoyts and Reading on premiumisation as a negative for Village and Event”.

Hoyts, owned by the Chinese entertainment giant Wanda Group, has now converted 53% of its cinemas to the new recliner format, and will continue to take market share from Australian-listed Village and Event as it offers a “superior product at a comparable price”.

Teeger said an underwhelming June 2017 quarter saw weekly box office growth in the second half of the financial year slowing to 1% over the prior corresponding period.

Teeger explained “this is a material slowdown from the peak of +20% in January 2017.

“We see disappointing movies and industry discounting as the primary reasons for the subdued performance.”

An improved suite of movie releases in the current financial year, including Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Justice League and Thor: Ragnarok, is “relatively more promising” Teeger concludes.

Citi recommends Event could improve its fortunes if it exits its German cinema business, which it estimates could be sold for $160 million to $270 million.

According to market research firm IBISWorld, the three main chains make up two thirds of the $1.7 billion cinema industry in Australia, with Event holding 28.7% market share, followed by Village Roadshow on 18.8% and Hoyts on 18.4%. Reading has a 6.1% market share. 

Images: Reading Cinemas' premium seating (top) and $10 seats at Reading Cinemas Chirnside Park (below).

10th July 2017 - DALIAN WANDA GROUP SELLS US$9.3 BILLION OF TOURISM ASSETS

30th May 2017 - CRONULLA SHARKS CHAIRMAN DAMIAN KEOGH RESIGNS FROM BOARD AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO COCAINE POSSESSION

24th November 2016 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW INTRODUCE AUSTRALIA’S FIRST CHILDRENS’ CINEMA CONCEPT

27th October 2016 - UFC LAUNCHES EVENTS PARTNERSHIP WITH VILLAGE CINEMAS AND EVENT CINEMAS

12th August 2016 - GOLD COAST TOURISM RESURGENCE SUGGESTS POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR ARDENT LEISURE BUSINESSES

17th May 2016 - CINEMAS MOVE TO PROVIDE LUXURY THEATRE SEATING 

13th July 2015 - AUSTRALIAN CINEMAS HEADING FOR A RECORD YEAR

17th February 2015 - HOYTS TO EXTEND PREMIUM NEW CINEMA FORMAT

9th February 2015 - HOYTS CINEMAS SOLD TO CHINESE-BACKED ID LEISURE VENTURES

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.