Huge changes underway in film industry as it reckons with streaming, pandemic impact (2024)

Huge changes underway in film industry as it reckons with streaming, pandemic impact (1)

By Lilia Luciano, Analisa Novak

/ CBS News

George Mitchell's family owned a movie theater in Niantic, Connecticut, that they were forced to close after the COVID-19 pandemicresulted in a significant decline in business.

"When the pandemic came, our business dropped to zero," Mitchell said. "It was the end."

But while COVID-19 dealt the final blow to some theaters like the Mitchells', streaming was already forcing a shift. Now, huge changes are underway in the film industry, as a writers strike looms and the business reckons with the impact of streaming services, as well as lingering effects of the pandemic.

This weekend will see the 95th edition of the Academy Awards, with films like "Everything, Everywhere All at Once" and "The Fabelmans" vying with blockbusters like "Top Gun: Maverick" for Best Picture.

But while the move industry pats itself on the back, ticket sales at the box office are down about 35% from pre-pandemic levels — which is unsustainable for smaller cinemas, said Matt Belloni, an entertainment journalist.

"The result after COVID is that we're seeing the box office concentrated in fewer movies, bigger grosses for the movies like 'Spider-Man: No Way Home,' 'Top Gun: Maverick,' 'Avatar: The Way of Water,'" Belloni said. "But it's that middle and lower tier that is really struggling still."

He said all of the top 10 movies at the box office last year were sequels or prequels, "and that is very disturbing to a lot of moviegoers who want these kinds of more adult, more serious movies to do well in theaters so studios have an incentive to put 'em there."

One such movie is "Dallas Buyers Club," a 2013 independent film that earned Matthew McConaughey the Best Actor Oscar and producer Rachel Winter a Best Picture nomination.

Winter said that streaming has made films that traditionally might have only gone into a handful of theaters more accessible to larger audiences.

"The good news is that with access to content and access to make content, there are lots more opportunities to tell different kinds of stories," Winter said.

But she still laments the downsizing of cinema.

"Look, I like being on my couch and in my pajamas and enjoying a movie," she said. "I enjoy that as much as the next person. But I will never stop wanting to go to the movies."

Lilia Luciano

Huge changes underway in film industry as it reckons with streaming, pandemic impact (2)

Lilia Luciano is an award-winning journalist and CBS News correspondent based in Los Angeles.

Thanks for reading CBS NEWS.

Create your free account or log in
for more features.

Huge changes underway in film industry as it reckons with streaming, pandemic impact (2024)

FAQs

Huge changes underway in film industry as it reckons with streaming, pandemic impact? ›

Streaming: The rise of streaming services has led to a decline in theater attendance. According to the Motion Picture Association, global theater attendance dropped by 4% in 2021, partly due to the availability of films on streaming platforms.

How did the pandemic affect the film industry? ›

The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, and the film industry is no exception. It is estimated that the U.S. box office alone will lose more than US$5 billion this year, and many long-awaited films have been pushed back indefinitely.

How has streaming affected the film industry? ›

The rise of streaming services has had a major impact on the movie industry. It has changed the traditional way movies are released and viewed, and it has also changed the way studios make and distribute profits.

What impact has technology had on the film industry? ›

Technology has had a significant impact on the film industry, transforming the way films are made, distributed, and consumed. In the past, making a film was a time-consuming and costly process, but with the advent of new technologies, the process has become more efficient and cost-effective.

How is the film industry changing? ›

The impact of technology on the world of filmmaking has been nothing short of remarkable. From the rise of remote filmmaking to advancements in post-production software and the widespread popularity of online streaming services, technology has reshaped every aspect of the film industry.

How has Netflix affected movie theaters? ›

By offering a vast library of content that users could access anytime and anywhere, Netflix disrupted the traditional cinema experience, which relied on physical theaters and scheduled screenings. Original Content: Netflix invested heavily in producing original content, including movies and TV series.

How did the pandemic affect Hollywood? ›

The pandemic has also increased the cost of making movies and TV shows, because productions must hire health and safety personnel and film for fewer hours per day, thereby prolonging shoots. The average cost of production has grown at least 20%, most producers agree, and it may never go back down.

What are the biggest impacts of streaming technology on the film television industry? ›

Streaming services have transformed the way people engage with and consume media, leading to a shift from linear TV to on-demand viewing. They have also increased the diversity of content through original programming and made it easier for viewers to discover new shows and movies through personalized recommendations.

How has streaming changed media? ›

Streaming services played a pivotal role in the rise of cord-cutting, a trend where consumers abandoned traditional cable and satellite television in favor of internet-based streaming. The flexibility and on-demand nature of streaming appealed to audiences seeking personalized and convenient viewing experiences.

What are the negative effects of streaming services? ›

Over time, binge-watching may harm your health in ways you may not expect. Among the concerns researchers have raised are decreased physical activity, sleep problems and fatigue, blood clots, heart problems, poor diet, social isolation, behavioral addiction, and cognitive decline.

How has technology impacted filmmaking over time? ›

Digital filming and post-production: Digital technology has replaced traditional film cameras and post-production techniques, making it easier and more cost-effective to produce movies. Digital cameras have greater resolution, more dynamic range, and they can shoot in low light conditions.

How has the film industry changed over time? ›

Digital filmmaking and digital technology have made it easier than ever to get started in the movie industry. Today, there still is a lot of networking and dues-paying to get into the movie business, but the Internet has radically changed what that looks like, and the biggest change has been in accessibility.

What affects the film industry? ›

Technological Innovations Reshaping Production

Just as streaming services and social media are reshaping the film industry, so too are other technological innovations. These advancements are revolutionising everything from how films are shot to how they are edited and watched.

Why is the film industry struggling? ›

Competition with Other Forms of Entertainment

The film industry faces stiff competition from other forms of entertainment such as video games, social media, and music streaming. Younger generations are increasingly turning to these forms of entertainment instead of movies.

When did the film industry decline? ›

The film industry changed radically after World War II, and this change altered the style and content of the films made in Hollywood. After experiencing boom years from 1939 to 1946, the film industry began a long period of decline. Within just seven years, attendance and box receipts fell to half their 1946 levels.

What are the threats to the film industry? ›

Continued threats to this industry include sluggish box office sales, projected declines in physical copy sales, and digital operators that have started to enter the film production field. Revenue growth is expected to stem from strong growth in foreign distribution of movies and videos through 2025.

How is the film industry affected by COVID-19 in India? ›

The pandemic is expected to reduce the Indian media and entertainment industry's income by 16 percent this fiscal year, to 1.3 trillion, according to domestic rating agency CRISIL. Over the course of the financial year, India's cinema industry is expected to shrink from Rs. 23,600 crore to Rs. 12,700 crore.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Trent Wehner

Last Updated:

Views: 5860

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Trent Wehner

Birthday: 1993-03-14

Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416

Phone: +18698800304764

Job: Senior Farming Developer

Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.