Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Emma Munbodh

Odeon and Universal sign deal to release films in cinema and at home at the same time

Odeon Cinemas and Universal have agreed on a deal that will bring movies to the big screen and home televisions in the same month.

American film chain AMC, banned all Universal films in April after the studio said it would release new movies at home and on the big screen on the same day.

But now AMC has agreed that Universal films can go to digital services after just 17 days of viewing in cinemas.

The dispute between the two firms began in April, when Universal made the film Trolls World Tour available to streaming services only.

It was scheduled for release in cinemas that month, but with cinemas closed because of the Covid-19 lockdown, it was offered as a Premium Video on Demand (PVOD) on streaming platforms such as Apple TV.

It could completely transform cinema viewings (REX/Shutterstock)

AMC took umbrage, accusing Universal of "breaking the business model and dealings between our two companies".

It added: "Going forward, AMC will not license any Universal movies in any of our 1,000 theatres globally on these terms."

Now, however, it has changed its mind.

AMC chief executive Adam Aron said, "AMC enthusiastically embraces this new industry model, both because we are participating in the entirety of the economics of the new structure, and because premium video on demand creates the added potential for increased movie studio profitability, which should in turn lead to the green-lighting of more theatrical movies."

Universal Studios' chair, Donna Langley, said: "The theatrical experience continues to be the cornerstone of our business. The partnership we've forged with AMC is driven by our collective desire to ensure a thriving future for the film distribution ecosystem and to meet consumer demand with flexibility and optionality."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.