AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC) dropped its plans to charge customers variable prices for movie theater seats.
The company announced its “Sightline” pricing strategy in February and tested it out at select locations in three U.S. markets. The program charged moviegoers more for the best theater seats, or “Preferred Sightline” seats.
The program also reduced the price of seats deemed less attractive to patrons, such as those located at the front row of theaters.
The change comes as the movie theater industry suffers through a sluggish summer blockbuster season. And theaters are banking on this weekend’s “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” releases to bring much-needed foot traffic to theaters.
Shares of AMC Entertainment fell less than 1% on Thursday. The stock is up more than 5% this year, lagging the broader market. The shares opened Friday morning crept up two cents to $4.34.
Preferred Sightline seats included select locations in the middle of the auditorium that are preferred by some moviegoers, whereas Value Sightline seats were those typically located in the front row.
The chain said the program would end at participating locations in the coming weeks.
The decision comes after the pilot program showed moviegoers had little or no interest sitting at the front row, even though prices were reduced. The company said it also found that most moviegoers continued to
choose the seats they preferred, even at higher prices.
