Warner Media and HBO Max might have just rung the death knell of the moviegoing experience. Warner Bros. announced on Thursday that it plans to release all 17 of its films planned for 2021 on HBO Max and in theaters simultaneously, including major would-be blockbusters like Matrix 4, In the Heights and The Suicide Squad. Warner Bros. had previously said it would release this year’s Wonder Woman 1984, arguably their most anticipated movie of 2020, simultaneously on streaming and in theaters on Dec. 25.
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Discussion Questions:
- What is distribution?
- Why is distribution an important function of marketing?
- Why is distribution an important marketing strategy for movie studios?
- How would you describe the traditional distribution strategy for a movie studio with a major film release?
- What is different about Warner Media’s new distribution strategy?
- What is partnership?
- Why do you think Warner is releasing films in theaters and on HBO rather than another streaming network like Netflix or Showtime?
- What are industry trends?
- Do you think this will change moviegoing forever as the headline of this news story suggests? Why or why not?