Wow, I almost made it a full day without having to report about something dumb MoviePass is doing now. Almost.
Today, a day after relaunching the movie theater subscription service with the new $9.95 per month for three movies plan, MoviePass has now begun the practice of limiting what movies you can each day. For those thinking I’m just rehashing old news, I promise that’s not the case. After attempting a plan where customers could pick between two films and subsequently “ending” that practice, the company has found that the best way to stay in business is continue to limit when, where, and what films they can see each day.
READ MORE: MoviePass Posts 2nd Quarter Loss Of $126.6M, As Stockholders File Lawsuits
Here’s part of a statement from CEO Mitch Lowe (via BusinessInsider):
“As we transition to the new subscription plan, we want to share more details about our service moving forward as part of our commitment to keep you fully informed. For the time being, we will be limiting the films and showtimes that are available to members each day. During this transition period, MoviePass will offer up to six films to choose from daily, including a selection of major studio first-run films and independent releases. In addition, showtime availability may be limited depending on the popularity of those films on the app that particular day.
While the films and showtimes available in the app will change daily, the schedule of available film selections will be published at least a week in advance on the MoviePass website so members can plan ahead for the films they want to see.”
And what films will customers have to choose from? Well, all you have to do is check out the MoviePass website daily to find which films will be offered. We have to give Lowe credit, he does include the major studio films, plus indies. Today’s offerings include bigger films like “The Meg” and “BlacKkKlansman,” as well as small indies like the great “Skate Kitchen,” “We the Animals,” and “The Miseducation of Cameron Post.”
While many, like myself, see this news as just another example of MoviePass trying to figure it out as they go, there are still plenty of those subscribers that will continue to take this change in stride. And you know what? More power to you!
And for a bit of good news today, we bring you a new statement from AMC Theatres, who is boasting more milestones for its Stubs A-List program. On the same day that MoviePass again shoots itself in the foot, AMC claims that over 260,000 users have signed up for its subscription service after only 7 weeks, well ahead of projections.
“While one would think that the rate of signups will inevitably have to slow down at some point, enrollments now are continuing at quite a brisk pace, getting AMC to scale much sooner than we initially anticipated. This is very good for AMC and very good for our movie studio partners as well,” AMC Theatres president and CEO Adam Aron said (again via BusinessInsider).
The jury is still out on the longevity of AMC’s plan, but the company says that they are also going to guarantee no price increases or plan changes for 12 months for those who sign up in 2018. So hey, at least you won’t have to worry about the rules changing every day like MoviePass subscribers.
