Your charge to watch "The Pilot" in theaters?

[Redfern]

A friend told me she went to see the season opener at the theater and she had a really crappy experience. Beside initial problems with the projector and then having to sit through "Class" before "Doctor Who", she said she and her husband were charged a collective 38 dollars, about twice the normal rate for movies houses in that area.

Were all theaters presenting this special charging a "premium" or is it possible this particular theater simply engaged in price gouging?

 

[Orac]

I was going to see the christmas special at our local cinema on boxing day until I saw that the tickets were twice the usual price and decided to stay home and watch it on the telly for free instead.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I know nothing of the particulars of the situation but maybe there's some overhead for a theater to arrange a one-time showing and the fee is part of that. I mean, I'm sure they're making out nicely on it but I could see where there's some overhead in setting up a singular experience that might be different than a movie where that might normally be compensate through dozens of airings. Maybe?

 

[The Wormhole]

The only time I went to one of these special theatrical screenings of TV shows was for Power of the Daleks last November. It cost nearly $15, while a typical movie ticket is $10.50.

 

[Professor Zoom]

17 bucks a piece for a special event? That doesn't surprise me. And depending on the normal ticket price, doesn't sound particularly egregious.

Consider that most movie theaters don't make much money on an opening weekend of a movie (the studios get a big cut the opening weekend, the percentages shift as the movie stays in the theater), a one time event is their one time to make money on that night...

edited to add: Did they know about the ticket price before they went? And that Class would be shown before?

 

[Lakenheath 72]

I learned about "The Pilot" being shown in a theatre from Fathom Events. From their website, I knew that the premiere episode of "Class" would be included as well. Knowing the series was cancelled, because of low ratings, and not wanting to get invested in a failed project, I had no interest in seeing Class' premiere. So, instead, I choose to watch "The Pilot" at home. (They mention a short featurette about the companion. I assume it will be included on the DVD.)

https://www.fathomevents.com/events/doctor-who-season-10

 

[Redfern]

Did they know about the ticket price before they went? And that Class would be shown before?

No, they knew of neither until they reached the theater. The projector issues didn't help her mood, either.

So, it wasn't just that single theater trying to gouge them; many, if not all theaters showing this special event charged extra. Okay, that's all I needed to know. I'll relay the information.

Thanks for the feedback, gang!

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Seems to me they should've shown Class afterwards then it seems like it would've been win-win. Leave if you don't care, bonus if you do. The only downside I could see is if it was part of the justification for the higher ticket prices.