Al Pacino starring in current MoviePass Films production, 'Axis Sally'.
MoviePass Reinventing Business Model — Again
March 6, 2019
With its corporate (Helios and Matheson Analytics) parent’s stock delisted, theatrical ticket subscription service MoviePass is again attempting to reinvent its business model and relevance — this time without relying on exhibitor cooperation and revenue.
Following the previously announced MoviePass Entertainment Holdings integrating film production and exhibition, MoviePass said it plans to implement a new business model that prioritizes “self-generated” revenue.
Specifically, the fiscally-challenged ticket service plans to focus on “technological innovation” and “high-quality” content production through MoviePass (theatrical subscription service); MoviePass Films (original content production company) and Moviefone (multimedia media information and advertising service).
“Spending the last several months analyzing the many different aspects of our prior business model, in terms of what worked and what didn’t, I believe we’ve been able to illuminate the path forward,” Ted Farnsworth, CEO of HMNY, said in a statement.
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MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe said the ticket service has gained a “tremendous amount” of insight into moviegoers and the industry over the past 18 months.
Indeed, the service, which launched to much fanfare offering consumers daily access to a theatrical screening for a monthly $9.95 fee, could never financially pay for the loss leader business model without exhibitor help — which the service never received.
As the fiscal losses mounted, HMNY’s stock plummeted. Exhibitors AMC Theatres and Cineworld launched their own ticket subscription services.
MoviePass, however, has apparently been successful in content production.
MoviePass Films, through co-founders co-founders Randall Emmett and George Furla, continue to generate films, including dramas with Bruce Willis (10 Minutes Gone) — the first of three titles with the actor, and Al Pacino and Meadow Williams in current production, Axis Sally.
In addition, Border, a Cannes-winning film MoviePass Films co-distributed with Neon Rated, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
“We now have a winning combination that we believe will drive consumers to our films and re-energize casual moviegoers to go more often and see great films in local theaters,” said Lowe.