Table of Contents
Overview
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- What you need to know
- Products covered in this Report
Executive Summary
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- The market
- 2019 expected to be another bumper year for the UK cinema industry
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- Figure 1: UK cinema market volume (admissions) forecast, 2014-24
- Market value grows due to increase in retail spend per head
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- Figure 2: UK cinema market value forecast, 2014-24
- UK cinemas saw their highest summer box office returns ever in 2019
- Disney bosses the box office
- Disney+ to launch in the UK in 2020
- ScreenX expands its footprint in UK theatres
- Companies and brands
- Cineworld remains dominant UK chain
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- Figure 3: Cinema operators in the UK, by number of sites and screens, Q3 2019
- Odeon upgrades cinemas with more ‘luxe’ 4D and IMAX formats
- Everyman becomes stakeholder on British high streets
- The consumer
- Cineworld maintains its position as top cinema chain
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- Figure 4: Cinema visiting, October 2018 and September 2019
- Young males are the most avid cinema-goers
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- Figure 5: Regularity of cinema visits for cinema-goers, by age and gender, September 2019
- Most people are still watching 2D screenings
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- Figure 6: Type of screenings seen in last 12 months, September 2019
- Expense is the main reason people don’t go to the cinema
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- Figure 7: Reasons for not visiting the cinema in the last 12 months, September 2019
- Content still key factor for bringing in audiences
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- Figure 8: Reasons for visiting the cinema in the last 12 months, September 2019
- Most cinema-goers think it is a good social activity
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- Figure 9: Attitudes towards the cinema experience, September 2019
- Half would go to the cinema if tickets were cheaper
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- Figure 10: Motivations to visit the cinema, September 2019
- What we think
Issues and Insights
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- Promoting solo visits to the cinema can cater to an individual’s desire for escapism
- The facts
- The implications
- Chain cinemas should further embrace their ‘blockbuster’ role
- The facts
- The implications
The Market – What You Need to Know
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- Another strong year at the box office expected in 2019
- Market value grows due to increased retail spend per head
- Streaming services eye content as key battleground to compete with cinemas
- Superhero and animated franchises continue to capture imagination
- Advertising in cinemas hits new high as blockbuster boom increases spend in cinemas
Market Size and Forecast
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- 2019 expected to be another bumper year for the UK cinema industry
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- Figure 11: UK cinema market volume (admissions) forecast, 2014-24
- Figure 12: Cinema market volume (admissions) forecast, 2014-24
- Market value grows due to increase in retail spend per head
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- Figure 13: UK cinema market value forecast, 2014-24
- Figure 14: UK cinema market value forecast, 2014-24
- Forecast methodology
Market Segmentation
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- Average retail spend per head increases on the back of enhanced retail offerings
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- Figure 15: UK cinema market, by segment, 2014-19
- Record-breaking summer months for admissions pave the way for another successful year at the box office
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- Figure 16: UK cinema admissions, by month, 2015-19
- Cinema advertising can be a differentiator for brands
Market Drivers
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- Disney bosses the box office
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- Figure 17: Top 20 films released in the UK and Republic of Ireland, January-September 2019
- Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox looks to further its dominance
- Superhero and animated franchises continue to capture imagination
- In the medium term streaming can enhance the cinema market
- Variable pricing structures result in blockbuster premium ticket price hikes
- Streaming services eye content as key battleground to compete with cinemas
- Netflix in standoff with defenders of the cinema space
- Disney could prioritise streaming over cinema
- Apple TV+ to release content in theatres
Companies and Brands – What You Need to Know
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- Increase in number of screens in UK
- Cineworld focuses on premiumisation and technology to drive growth
- Everyman eyes key stakeholder role on high streets
- Vue aims to maximise revenue with enhanced retail offering
- Odeon upgrades cinemas with more ‘luxe’ 4D and IMAX formats
Launch Activity and Innovation
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- New technology pushes the boundaries of the cinematic medium
- Odeon Cinemas to trial phoneless cinema screenings
- Event cinema continues to be a differentiator
- Innovations in projection and audio technology enhance viewing experience
- Google Assistant can help UK users find and book cinema tickets using only voice commands
- CJ 4DPLEX further blends the theme park and cinema
- Selfridges opens first permanent cinema in a department store
Advertising and Marketing Activity
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- Advertising spend decreases through 2018 despite record-breaking year
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- Figure 18: Total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure for UK film distributors and cinemas, 2014-19
- Figure 19: Share of recorded above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure by film distributors, Jan-Sep 2018 and Jan-Sep 2019
- Figure 20: Share of recorded above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure by film distributors, Jan-Sep 2018 and Jan-Sep 2019
- Advertising in cinemas hits new high as blockbuster boom increases spend in cinemas
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- Figure 21: Top advertisers in UK cinema to 17 December, 2019
- Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
Market Share
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- Increase in number of screens from major operators
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- Figure 22: Major cinema operators’ sites and screens, October 2018 and October 2019
- Refurbishment re-energising the cinema experience
- Focus on retail can drive spend per head in theatres
- Everyman eyes greater presence on high streets
The Consumer – What You Need to Know
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- Cineworld maintains its position as top cinema chain
- Young males are the most avid cinema-goers
- Standard 2D showings are still most popular type of screening
- Price is the main reason people are not going to the cinema
- Half would go to the cinema if tickets were cheaper
- The boutique experience can be a hit with young parents
Cinema Visiting
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- Cineworld maintains its position as top cinema chain
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- Figure 23: Cinema visiting, October 2018 and September 2019
- Young males are the most avid cinema-goers
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- Figure 24: Regularity of cinema visits for cinema-goers, by age and gender, September 2019
- Gender differences play out across all age groups
- Seniors audiences can be encouraged to take part in social activities
- Family-friendly programme of content appeals
Screening Type
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- Standard 2D showings still the dominant type of screening
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- Figure 25: Type of screenings seen in last 12 months, September 2019
- Enhanced screening options appeal as a special occasion
Barriers to Visiting the Cinema
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- Expense is the main reason people don’t go to the cinema
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- Figure 26: Reasons for not visiting the cinema in the last 12 months, September 2019
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- Figure 27: Repertoire of reasons for not visiting the cinema in the last 12 months, by reasons for not visiting, September 2019
- Many still consider the cinema to be expensive despite the number of available deals
- One in four prefer to watch films in other ways
- Streaming services now compete in terms of content
- Cinemas could look to forge creative partnerships with streaming services
- Shared viewing experiences aren’t for everyone
- See it or miss out
Attitudes towards Visiting the Cinema
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- Content is key in driving visits
- Cinemas can encourage young males to ‘hang solo’
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- Figure 28: Reasons for visiting the cinema in the last 12 months, September 2019
- Higher-income households can help drive retail spend
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- Figure 29: Reasons for visiting the cinema in the last 12 months, by age and gender, September 2019
- Immersive cinema experiences continue to capture consumers’ imagination
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- Figure 30: Attitudes towards cinema experience, September 2019
- Cinema can be date night destination for young parents
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- Figure 31: Attitudes towards cinemas – CHAID – Tree output, September, 2019
Motivations to Visit a Cinema in the Future
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- Price still the key driver for consumers
- Women can be engaged further through emphasis on social occasion
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- Figure 32: Motivations to visit the cinema, September 2019
- The heightened sensory experience can also appeal to families
Appendix – Data Sources, Abbreviations and Supporting Information
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- Abbreviations
- Consumer research methodology
- CHAID analysis methodology
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- Figure 33: Attitudes towards cinemas – CHAID – Table output, September 2019
Appendix – Market Size and Forecast
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- Market Forecast
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- Figure 34: UK cinemas value forecast, 2019-24
- Figure 35: UK cinemas volume (admissions) forecast, 2019-24
- Forecast methodology
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