BF Distribution: The return to the exclusive cinema window is already a fact

Carlos Hansen, founder, and CEO of BF Distribution announced as a trend the return of the exclusive window for the cinema or theatrical as the large studios have verified that the return to normality in theaters is a reality. The cinema experience has not yet been replaced, nor has the revenues that the box office generates.

“The windows are being respected again. Although during the pandemic there were films that were released simultaneously, after Disney’s Shang-Chi, the first exclusive premiere experience in cinemas with very high numbers, showed that there is a return to the cinema as an experience. After that, we’ve seen other premieres coming,” said Hansen. In December and January, for example, the premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home was a phenomenon.

These films have had a window of exclusivity of between 40 to 45 days in movie theaters, although Hansen says that there is still no certainty regarding how much time it will remain there. “What is clear is that there will be a window of a prudent and reasonable time and that the studios, which are the experts, have already calculated how long this window is,” he said.

He explained that there will always be movies that go straight to platforms, but that is not unusual, like those that traditionally go straight to cable. “The cinema will continue to have its window and its space,” he reassured.

This is because all countries have been recovering, some exponentially, others more slowly. “But in general, governments have been reducing restrictions and increasing the capacity limit of theaters. In some countries, the infections drop, and in others, they climb which also affects the number of seats allowed in cinemas. But little by little the figures are getting closer to normal. We all hope that by 2023 or the end of 2022 the box office will go back to what it was before,” he said.