Project Insomnia

Project Insomnia is many things, but in this context it is simply a "braindump" of whatever I happen to be thinking/reading/watching/doing at the moment. Parental guidance suggested.

Friday, July 08, 2005

Smaller rivals claim Century Theatres grabs hits for itself

I am not at all surprised to read this Chronicle article today:
State probes movie giant for anti-competitive acts / Smaller rivals claim Century Theatres grabs hits for itself
Century, a 64-year-old San Rafael company that shows movies on more than 1,000 screens in 12 states, is being investigated for alleged anti-competitive activities by California Attorney General Bill Lockyer.

The inquiry comes when Century, the nation's sixth-largest movie chain, is reportedly up for sale and when box-office receipts at movie houses across the country are diving due to video on demand, Internet downloading, sales of cheap DVDs and other competition.

The investigation was sparked by smaller exhibitors that sued Century, saying it blocked them from obtaining hit movies. The state might broaden its investigation to include other companies, but for now, "Century is the focal point,'' said Lockyer spokesman Tom Dresslar.

Century consistently provides the worst moviegoing experience I've ever seen. Their older moviehouses are of a misguided "dome" design, which results in a sharply curved screen and muddy audio which bounces off the domed ceiling. Newer houses lack these problems, but the deeper problem of uncaring management and awful customer service remain.

There are two Century megaplexes closer to us than our preferred theatre. I'd rather drive a bit more--and it's not all that much more, really--than support Century.
|| Andrew, 11:24 AM || ||

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