Having previously been dismissive of a lot of recent technology hypes (crypto, NFT, VR/xR, web3), I am presently completely stunned by the abilities and speed of development of generative AI, whether for text, images, music or video. The potential impact and scope for change in almost every industry is breathtaking, with even AI insiders flabbergasted at the pace of developments. This will impact the cinema industry too, probably in ways we cannot foresee or imagine yet.

As an Editor and writer I am right now above all intrigued by the potential of LLM (large language models), such as ChatGPT or Google’s Bard. I have already used them to assist (not substitute) my writing and chances are that you didn’t even notice. While I might be contributing to the education and harbinging of Skynet, I cannot stick my head in the sand and hope that it will go away. It won’t, and as George Lucas said about the first generation of digital ‘film’ cameras: this is as bad as it gets (in terms of quality) and it will only improve from here on. It’s already pretty good.

So I decided to put ChatGPT to the test by writing something more analytical than a summary of an article (oops, just gave away what I’d used it for before). This is the prompt I gave it.

Please analyze the current state of the cinema exhibition industry and describe its trends, challenges, and opportunities. Support your analysis with relevant data and statistics. Additionally, provide a comprehensive list of key players in the industry. For the short-term and long-term industry forecast, please outline the projected outlook. Finally, discuss the potential impact of current events or future developments on the industry.

The limitation of the current iteration of ChatGPT is that it can only access information up to September 2021. That means that this is an analysis that comes from back when the cinema industry was still gripped by the Covid-19 pandemic. It does not take into account the success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”, let alone “Avatar: the Way of Water” or “Top Gun Maverick”.

As an analysis from just under two years ago, it is perfectly serviceable and I’ve read a lot worse ones online at the time. I would still not have published it as it is and had it been written by a freelance contributor I would have sent it back with numerous corrections and suggestions for improvements, as well as tweaking it myself. But I present it to you below as an experiment, so that you can form your own opinion. It lacks personality, but then analysis should have little of that. Or is that what the likes of writers such as myself bring to the proverbial table? What if ChatGPT had been able to access all the latest information? Would we still feel so superior? You can feed LLM’s examples of your writing and with even just a few articles it is enough to capture your tone. I have not dared to do that yet. Remember, from here on it will only get better.

I still put my name down as the author of this article, because even though the ChatGPT analysis below has a higher word count, I still wrote the introduction. Didn’t I? HAL, can you let me in now please.

The cinema exhibition industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, influenced by various factors such as technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is an analysis of the current state of the industry, including its trends, challenges, and opportunities, along with a list of key players. Please note that the statistics provided are based on data available up to September 2021, and the short-term and long-term industry forecasts are subject to change.

Current State:

1. Box Office Performance: The global box office experienced a severe downturn in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Motion Picture Association, the global box office revenue fell by 72% in 2020 compared to the previous year. However, as restrictions eased and theaters reopened, the industry started to recover in 2021, although at a slower pace than expected.
2. Streaming and Digital Distribution: The rise of streaming platforms and digital distribution has posed a significant challenge to traditional cinema exhibition. With the growth of platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, consumers have more options for accessing movies from the comfort of their homes. The pandemic further accelerated the adoption of streaming services, leading to a shift in consumer behavior.
3. Hybrid Release Strategies: To adapt to changing consumer preferences and mitigate the impact of the pandemic, some studios and distributors have adopted hybrid release strategies. This involves simultaneous or near-simultaneous releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. While this approach offers flexibility to consumers, it has raised concerns among theater owners regarding the exclusivity of the theatrical window.
4. Enhanced Cinema Experiences: To entice audiences back to theaters, exhibitors have been investing in enhanced cinema experiences. This includes the deployment of advanced technologies like IMAX, 3D, and immersive sound systems, as well as luxury seating options, dine-in theaters, and other amenities to provide a unique and immersive experience.

Challenges:

1. COVID-19 Impact: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose significant challenges to the cinema exhibition industry. Social distancing measures, capacity restrictions, and concerns over public health have resulted in reduced attendance and disrupted film releases.
2. Competition from Streaming: Streaming platforms have emerged as strong competitors to traditional cinema exhibition. The convenience and wide range of content offered by these platforms have attracted audiences, leading to a decline in theater attendance.
3. Piracy and Copyright Infringement: The availability of pirated copies of movies online remains a persistent challenge for the industry. Piracy not only affects box office revenue but also erodes consumer trust and impacts the overall value chain.

Opportunities:

1. Pent-up Demand: As vaccination rates increase and restrictions ease, there is potential for a resurgence in cinema attendance. The desire for communal entertainment experiences and the anticipation of highly anticipated blockbusters may drive audiences back to theaters.
2. Diversification: Cinema exhibitors can explore diversification by expanding their offerings beyond traditional movie screenings. This includes hosting live events, gaming tournaments, film festivals, and collaborations with content creators to attract a wider range of audiences.
3. Partnerships and Collaborations: Collaborations between exhibitors, studios, and streaming platforms can provide opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. These partnerships may include exclusive theatrical releases, co-marketing campaigns, or hybrid release models that cater to changing consumer preferences.

Key Players (as of September 2021):

1. AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc.
2. Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
3. Regal Entertainment Group
4. Cineplex Inc.
5. Vue International
6. Wanda Film Holding Co., Ltd.
7. CGV Holdings
8. Cineworld Group plc
9. PVR Cinemas
10. Inox Leisure Limited

Short-term and Long-term Industry Forecast:

Short-term:

The short-term forecast for the cinema exhibition industry heavily depends on the progress of COVID-19 containment measures and audience confidence. As vaccination rates increase and restrictions are lifted, the industry is expected to witness a gradual recovery in attendance. However, the pace of recovery may vary across regions due to the varying rates of vaccine distribution and containment measures.

Long-term:

The long-term outlook for the industry remains uncertain, given the changing landscape of content consumption and evolving consumer preferences. The industry is likely to face continued competition from streaming platforms, necessitating innovation and adaptation to retain audiences. The success of the industry will depend on its ability to offer unique and compelling cinema experiences that cannot be replicated at home.

Potential Impact of Current Events or Future Developments:

1. Technological Advancements: Advancements in technology, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), have the potential to revolutionize the cinema exhibition industry. Immersive experiences and interactive content could offer new opportunities for exhibitors to differentiate themselves from streaming platforms.
2. Content Strategies: The availability and quality of content will continue to play a crucial role in the industry’s success. Exclusive deals, collaborations, and compelling storytelling will be essential for exhibitors to attract audiences to theaters.
3. Global Market Expansion: The growth of the cinema exhibition industry is increasingly driven by international markets, particularly in countries with rising middle-class populations. Expanding into emerging markets presents an opportunity for exhibitors to tap into new audiences and diversify revenue streams.
4. Regulatory Environment: Changes in regulations and policies related to film distribution, release windows, and streaming platforms may significantly impact the cinema exhibition industry. Exhibitors will need to navigate and adapt to these regulatory changes to remain competitive.

Please note that the information provided is based on the industry’s state up to September 2021, and future developments may impact the accuracy of this analysis.