Movie Theater Owners Reverse Course On Paramount-Warner Bros, Now Favor Settlement Talks
The CEO and board chair of the trade organization Cinema United suggested that the merger dispute could halt box-office momentum and inject disastrous uncertainty into the marketplace.
Movie theater trade group Cinema United has urged California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount Skydance leadership to reach a settlement in the state's lawsuit aimed at blocking Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. This comes after Cinemark, along with AMC and Regal, endorsed the merger, signaling a shift in the theater industry's stance.
Cinemark sent a letter supporting the merger, emphasizing the industry's renewed momentum and Paramount's commitment to releasing 30 films annually with 90-day theatrical windows. Cinema United, comprised of leaders from Regal, Cinemark, Cineplex, B&B, Santikos Entertainment, and Marcus Theatres, among others, has expressed concerns about the negative impact of studio consolidation on the theatrical experience and the broader economy.
The organization has urged a settlement that would include no increases in rental terms, long-term commitments to wide theatrical releases, and continued access to both Paramount and Warner Bros. film catalogs without conditions that hinder theater owners' decision-making based on local preferences and market realities.
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