Date:22/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/22/stories/2005102202390802.htm

Back `Multiplexes need to tap e-market'

Our Bureau

MUMBAI: About 72 per cent of Internet users book their cinema tickets in advance, and, of this, 41 per cent prefer multiplexes, a study by the Internet & Mobile Association of India has found.

The report has, therefore, recommended multiplexes to increase their online activities for the Internet users.

According to the study, 22 per cent of the Internet users purchased tickets online once or more, whereas 46 per cent is likely to buy movie tickets online, and 34 per cent of the online users spend more than Rs 300 on a movie visit. "Clearly, this makes a strong case for multiplexes to develop sustaining e-ticketing infrastructure," the study said.

At present, there are 73 multiplexes (cumulative 276 screens) across the country. In the year 2004-05, multiplexes contributed 35 per cent of the total box office collection of the top 50 Hindi films. An important part of ticket collections are through e-ticketing.

According to Mr Shravan Shroff, Managing Director, Sringar Cinemas Ltd, the introduction of e-ticketing by Fame was a result of a realisation of a latent demand and an untapped avenue by theatres and multiplexes across the country.