This Streaming Service Wants to Charge $50 for Movie Night

In the age where subscription-based streaming is king, is paying $50 for a single movie that streams at the same time as the theatrical release worth it? With Napster’s Sean Parker and ex-Chief Content Officer at SFX Entertainment Prem Akkaraju founding a $50 per movie rental service Screening Room, there are a lot of questions to be answered about the future of living room entertainment.

First, before declaring that $50 is just too expensive, we’ll look at some pros. Number one is zero waiting time. With Screening Room, that cool new movie is available the day it opens in theaters. Second, no more leaving the house. Gas is saved and no more hiring babysitters if it’s a date. Third, there is no more need to fight the temptation of overpriced popcorn or candy bars.

The cons, however, are plenty. The price just doesn’t make sense if you’re going to watch a movie alone. The movie ticket averages in North America at about $8.13 (but up to $20 in New York!). Unless you’re hosting a viewing party or you’re part of a sizable family, it’s difficult to break even. The special streaming box costs a hefty $150, thanks to additional anti-piracy features. This makes the cost of watching your first Screening Room flick $200. The $50 is also just for a 48-hour rental not a permanent copy.

Hollywood, however, seems to be interested. Variety’s reporting says the Screening Room duo has convinced Spielberg and J.J. Adams that this is the future of movie-going. Cinema groups aren’t thrilled, but to appease them, Variety reveals Screening Room is ready to give up to $20 to cinema groups per $50-movie purchase, as a ticket for two to the for paying users. Tickets to the competitor might seem silly, but imagine the dollars that theaters can potentially make on the tubs of cheesy popcorn.

Screening Room, which Akkaraju’s LinkedIn account reveals is just 11 months old, has bigger fish to fry. People are still skeptical about the pricing in the age of $8/month Netflix. As long as movie content is viewed at a personal device, piracy can find a way, sparking doubt amongst Screening Room’s most important partners: movie studios.

 

Read more at: http://www.psfk.com/2016/03/screening-room-movie-streaming-service.html