South Coast: Streaming service popularity challenging regional cinemas

South coast cinemas are fighting with a surge in visitors after the industry slammed to a halt during the pandemic. But, is the growing popularity of streaming services making this fight harder than it should be?

Are streaming services killing south coast cinemas?

The growing popularity of streaming services is becoming a burden for south coast cinemas, who are fighting back following a pandemic which shut the industry down.

From Eden to Nowra, regional cinemas struggled during lockdowns meaning streaming services became the only way to watch new releases.

Merimbula’s The Picture Show Man – Twin Cinema directing manager Jesse Tankard said it was a new way of life created by the pandemic which people were struggling to let go.

“People are starting to return to cinemas, but it’s a long process,” he said. “It’s still not the same as it was before Covid hit.

“We are seeing people come back to the movies though, especially when bigger movies come out, but it’s going to be a while before we’re back to how it was.”

Jesse Tankard, Directing Manager at Twin Cinemas, Merimbula.

Mr Tankard said streaming services were affecting some times of days more than others.

“Streaming platforms like Netflix or Disney plus have been really affecting our night time showings,” Mr Tankard said. “I think it’s a case of, people want to watch movies at night, but they don’t really want to go out, so they just get cozy on the couch and pick whatever movie they want.

“Before the pandemic, our night time showings were easily the busiest times, now it all depends.”

Perry Street Cinema at Batemans Bay is a similar story, with some residents preferring the cinema while others prefer to watch a film from the comfort of their home.

Resident Emily Johnson said her kids were eager to get back to the movies.

“Streaming is fine, but it’s just fun to take the family to the cinema,” she said. “The kids get a fun day out, you get to sit and relax, it’s a win win.”

Perry Street Cinemas, Batemans Bay.

However, for Catalina resident William Anderson, streaming is easier than going to the theatre.

“There’s something nicer about watching movies at home,” he said. “When you watch movies at home, it’s quieter, cleaner, you can pause so you can do other things without missing anything.”

Despite this, the age of streaming has not scared Mr Tankard, who said it wasn’t the same as going to the cinema.

“I think it’s good to have that option to stream movies, but the cinema is an experience people are still coming out in droves to enjoy,” he said.

“Just recently, we’ve had the new Mario movie which has gone gangbusters. It’s not on any streaming platforms yet, so the only way to see it is to come to the movies.

“People come to the movies for the experience, to sit in the dark room, the salty popcorn, away from distractions to enjoy a movie on the big screen. That’s something that’s a lot harder to do at home.”