sinemia
Latest
AMC Stubs A-List is now the top movie ticket plan in the US
AMC's movie ticket subscription service has now hit the 800,000 subscriber mark, the company announced this week. AMC Stubs A-List, which just launched last June, has secured its spot as the number one movie subscription service in North America at a particularly sour time for its competitors. Rival Sinemia shuttered back in April following legal problems. MoviePass, once a success story in the space, fell from a peak of 3 million subscribers to just over 200 thousand in under a year, following rapid changes in pricing and more restrictive caps on movies watched.
Sinemia's theater subscription shuts down in the US
As MoviePass stumbled, Sinemia presented itself as an all-you-can-eat moviegoing alternative. Now, after quickly rushing through a series of plan changes and account terminations, the service has announced it's shutting down. A note on the front page of its website confirms what subscribers have suspected, citing "unexpected legal proceedings" (including a patent lawsuit filed by MoviePass) and lack of capital. The company hasn't responded to inquiry about whether or not it will continue on in other countries, and has gone dormant on social media. While these subscription packages have stumbled, the concept seems viable for one group: the movie theaters themselves. At last count AMC's Stubs A-List program continued to grow, and Alamo Drafthouse has announced plans to try out the scheme with a Season Pass. And that may be a next step for the people that run Sinemia -- an earlier report by Bloomberg suggested that shutting down the service would let them focus on their business as a white-label provider building up subscription plans for theater chains.
Sinemia offers more details on why it has been terminating accounts
A few weeks after Sinemia users reported their accounts were wrongfully terminated, the company is offering more details. Sinemia is sticking to its explanation that accounts were closed due to fraudulent activity or misuse. Now it says misuse could include using the Sinemia card to purchase concession stand items, using multiple Sinemia accounts on the same device or seeing the same movie more than three times -- a full list was provided to Engadget via email and is reproduced below.
Infinity is the latest attempt at a movie ticket subscription
Infinity, a new movie ticket subscription service with options for singles, couples, and families, is expected to launch this fall. Similar to Sinemia and MoviePass, Infinity can be used at any participating movie theatre rather than a specific chain. Viewers can add on access to IMAX and 3D for an added monthly fee. Numerous perks include discounts on food and beverages, rollover movie credits, and easy ticket redemption on the Infinity mobile app or website.
Sinemia is terminating accounts and users don't know why
Something strange is going on at Sinemia, where customers are reporting their accounts are being wrongfully terminated. Beginning last week, subscribers of the discounted movie ticket company took to Twitter and Reddit, where they report their accounts have been closed for suspected fraudulent activity. To make matters worse, Sinemia's response has been vague.
Sinemia's new movie ticket discount doesn't require a subscription
From discounted weekday-only movie subscriptions to $30 unlimited passes, rollover tickets, debit cards to avoid online fees and direct ticket sales, it seems like Sinemia has tried just about everything to get people to buy movie tickets. Apparently, Sinemia has another trick up its sleeve in its battle against MoviePass: you can now purchase $100-worth of tickets for just $70.
Sinemia ventures beyond movie subscriptions with direct ticket sales
Sinemia isn't counting solely on movie theater subscriptions to draw you in. The service has launched an option to buy movie tickets in the US through either its apps or its website. You need to buy them for one of 400-plus participating theaters (from chains like B&B, Emagine or New Vision), but you don't need to be a Sinemia subscriber -- you can use it if you'd just prefer an alternative to your theater's usual ordering methods. You can buy in advance, reserve seats and buy additional tickets if more people will tag along.
MoviePass rival Sinemia offers more flexibility with rollover tickets
Movie ticket subscription service Sinemia is cutting some of its prices and allowing users in the US, UK, Canada and Australia to roll one ticket from each month's allocation into the next month. That flexibility should prove useful, particularly when life finds a way to mess up your plans (hey there, polar vortex) or when nothing in theater listings grabs your interest.
Sinemia brings back debit cards following complaints over fees
As MoviePass began to flounder amid mounting money woes, changing its model every few weeks and introducing new restrictions like surge pricing and limits on what films customers could see on any given day, rival Sinemia began to turn some heads. It offered a number of different plans, as opposed to MoviePass' one, and while it cost a little bit more, the company claimed its model supported stability, something that MoviePass customers no longer had. It even began to offer an unlimited plan just after MoviePass disbanded its own. But over the past few months Sinemia customers have begun to complain about the service's fees, discontent that even led to a lawsuit. Now, Sinemia is making some changes that will give users the option of purchasing tickets without fees.
Sinemia offers discounted weekday-only movie subscriptions
Sinemia might have a way to get you to the movie theater on quieter days of the week. The service has launched weekday subscription plans that cut the prices if you're content with skipping movies on weekends. The exact discounts vary depending on how often you visit, but individual plans start at $4 per month for a single visit (versus the usual $5) and top out at $24 per month (versus $30) for a ticket every eligible day. There are family plans as well, although their pricing wasn't available as of this writing.
Sinemia will help movie theaters create their own subscription plans
While MoviePass' money woes have led it to change its service and its users' plans a number of times, Sinemia seems to have avoided the issues that have plagued its rival. The company offers a number of plans, including an unlimited version as well as family plans, but it'll soon add another service, this one for theaters themselves rather than moviegoers.
Sinemia's $30 unlimited plan tries to fill a MoviePass-shaped hole
MoviePass attracted a lot of users with its $10 one-movie-per-day subscription plan, but as the last few months have shown, that price point was rather unsustainable. As its money troubles mounted, the company hit its subscribers with a number of sudden plan changes including surge pricing, limited film selections and, recently, a reduction to just three allowed viewings per month. However, MoviePass rival Sinemia is bringing back the unlimited plan and subscribers in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia can get it for $30 (£30) per month.
MoviePass’ surge pricing starts today
Last month, MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe announced that surge pricing would soon go into effect, charging customers a little extra for movies and showtimes that are especially popular. That added fee, which MoviePass is calling Peak Pricing, starts rolling out today to customers with a monthly plan as well as any new annual subscribers. When a film or a particular showtime is in high demand and subject to an additional fee, you'll see a little red lightning icon over the showtime. Any showtimes that are gaining in popularity and could have an added Peak Pricing fee soon will have a grey lightning icon above them.
Alamo Drafthouse will test its own version of MoviePass
Boutique theater chain Alamo Drafthouse is getting in on the movie subscription craze, too. Dubbed the "Alamo Season Pass," its version sounds incredibly convenient compared to the competition. Simply use the Drafthouse mobile app to make your purchase, and once you arrive at the theater it'll unlock your tickets -- no need to wait in line to scan your barcode at the box office. Your server will check your ticket once you're seated, when they take your food or drink order. You can purchase extra tickets for your party when you make your seat reservation.
Sinemia adds family plans in its latest bid to battle MoviePass
Not to be left out, Sinemia has an announcement this week too: The movie-ticket subscription service is introducing family plans to its offerings. Pricing for its "For Two" tier have changed slightly, and if you want to add another person to the mix, it jumps accordingly. A three-person plan for one standard ticket (each) per month will set you back $/£14.99, while two tickets (each) per month will cost $/£24.99. Bumping up to include 3D films and one IMAX engagement boosts the price to $29.99 per month. Want three tickets (each) per month with 3D films and one IMAX showing? That'll be $/£44.99 each month.
MoviePass will begin surge pricing next month
Business Insider reports today that MoviePass will start charging surge prices for certain movies during particular times. When the app deems a showing to be exceptionally popular, MoviePass will charge its subscribers an additional $2, according to CEO Mitch Lowe. "At certain times for certain films -- on opening weekend -- there could be an additional charge for films," he told Business Insider. The new pricing is set to take effect in July, but Lowe says subscribers to the annual plan will be exempt.
Sinemia takes on MoviePass with subscription plans for two
Sinemia has an idea as to how to beat MoviePass at its own game: offer subscriptions that model the way you usually go to the movies, with other people. It's now offering a range of "Sinemia for Two" subscriptions that, as the name implies, let you bring a partner or friend to the theater. The basic $10 monthly plan (£10 in the UK) offers one movie for two, but you can step up to two movies for $14 (£14), add 3D or IMAX to the mix for $20 (£20) and jump to a third movie for $30 (£30). And yes, you can pick the seats to be sure you stay together.
MoviePass competitor Sinemia offers movie plans starting at $5/month
Today, Sinemia, a MoviePass competitor, announced its lowest pricing to date. For just $4.99 (on an annual plan), moviegoers in the US, UK, Canada and Australia can get one ticket per month to any 2D, traditional movie. For $6.99, you can get two tickets per month. If you'd like to see additional movies (or add 3D and IMAX into the mix), the prices for that are $9.99 for two tickets and $14.99 for three tickets per month.
