Latest update January 1st, 2016 3:17 PM
Online Release Before Theatrical Release In China? Not So Soon!
Le Vision Pictures recently made headlines due to its announcement to distribute a feature film THE VANISHED MURDERER on its sister site LeTV, prior to its theatrical release.
Regardless the netizens’ responses, theater chains rejected this move with strong opposition: many theater chains include Jin Yi Zhu Jiang, China Film Stellar and Zhe Jiang He Dian made the decision to reduce or even cut the film’s screening slots to zero, fearing if such an act prevails, Chinese cinema chains would be devastated in the near future. The cinemas under these chains were advised (ordered) to modify its planned screenings.
This audacious move of Le Vision Pictures was expected to be compared with the deal that TWC made with Netflix, but when the overall rejection arose, Le Vision had to call a halt to this audacity. An updated announcement was then made that members of LeTV would no longer be able to watch this film prior to its national theatrical release. It also declared that this was supposed to be a marketing device, but was misunderstood by the theater chains, so in order to ease this misunderstanding, the early-bird online distribution shall be cancelled. It also said sorry for any inconveniences. At the end of its new notice, Le Vision also called for tolerance and understanding of the theater chains for the better-being and sustainability of China’s film industry ecology.
The traditional theatrical chains’ benefits have already been affected by the rise of online ticketing platforms in China due to their very favorable ticket price to the movie goers. At this moment, if online release becomes a common practice, these chains and cinemas might find it harder to remain profitable as before.
Online release before theatrical release in China? Maybe a little bit later.
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