-By Alisdair Ritchie, Dodona Research
Exhibition in Europe can be split
into two distinct regions. On one hand there are the mostly mature
markets of Western and Northern Europe; and on the other the
still-evolving markets of Central and Eastern Europe.
2008 was a consistently strong
year for exhibition in Western Europe. Admissions in the 12
countries detailed below came to 824 million, an increase of 1.5
million upon the previous year. The standout result came from
France, where Bienvenue Chez
les Ch'tis became the most successful film of all
time and led admissions upward by 7%. Disappointing performances in
Greece and Spain saw admissions fall by 14% and 8%
respectively.
Cinema
Admissions in Key Western European Markets 2003-2008 (in
millions)
|
|
2003
|
2007
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Austria
|
17.74
|
15.69
|
15.63
|
|
Belgium
|
22.71
|
22.33
|
21.84
|
|
France
|
173.46
|
177.73
|
189.70
|
|
Germany
|
148.96
|
125.43
|
129.40
|
|
Greece
|
15.00
|
13.75
|
11.83
|
|
Ireland
|
17.43
|
18.37
|
18.18
|
|
Italy
|
105.47
|
116.29
|
111.63
|
|
Netherlands
|
24.87
|
23.06
|
23.51
|
|
Portugal
|
18.72
|
16.32
|
15.98
|
|
Spain
|
137.47
|
116.93
|
107.81
|
|
Switzerland
|
16.96
|
14.19
|
14.30
|
|
United Kingdom
|
167.50
|
162.43
|
164.22
|
Evidence that these markets have
reached maturity can be found by looking at investment in screens
across the markets as a whole and comparing this to returns in the
form of admissions.
Screen numbers rose by 852 between
2003 and 2008. The most marked increase was in the United Kingdom,
which developed 292 more screens, with increases of more than 100
screens in France and Italy. Indeed, of all these countries, only
Germany has seen screen numbers fall, by around 1.5%.
In light of this investment, it
would be hoped that admissions would react positively, but the
reality is that admissions have fallen by over 40 million or just
under 5%. Spain and Germany saw the greatest losses, with
admissions dropping by 30% and 20% respectively; France, in large
part due to its success in 2008, grew its admissions by
16%.
There are many reasons for these
differences, which are best described in our Cinemagoing
research reports (see www.dodona.co.uk for more
details), but it is evident that investment in cinemas is no longer
enough. The arrival of 3D films will certainly add some vibrancy to
a mature market, but the cinema experience itself needs to evolve,
not just the product.
Number of
Screens in Key Western European Markets
2003-2008
|
|
2003
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
Austria
|
553
|
577
|
|
Belgium
|
503
|
520
|
|
France
|
5299
|
5418
|
|
Germany
|
4868
|
4800
|
|
Greece
|
454
|
510
|
|
Ireland
|
331
|
430
|
|
Italy
|
3566
|
3750
|
|
Netherlands
|
602
|
640
|
|
Portugal
|
533
|
570
|
|
Spain
|
4253
|
4280
|
|
Switzerland
|
528
|
555
|
|
United
Kingdom
|
3318
|
3610
|
The cinema market in Scandinavia
is well-screened, particularly in Sweden and Norway, which have
extensive networks of small community cinemas.
Cinemagoing
Statistics in Scandinavia 2008
|
|
Screens
|
Population per
Screen
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denmark
|
397
|
13,700
|
|
Finland
|
330
|
16,000
|
|
Norway
|
430
|
10,100
|
|
Sweden
|
1050
|
8,700
|
Admissions fluctuate from year to
year but are generally flat. Results in 2008 improved across the
Nordic nations, recovering from minor losses suffered during
2007.
|
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denmark
|
12.60
|
12.12
|
13.20
|
|
Finland
|
6.70
|
6.52
|
6.86
|
|
Norway
|
12.01
|
10.82
|
11.80
|
|
Sweden
|
15.29
|
14.91
|
15.24
|
In contrast to the established
markets of Western and Northern Europe, the exhibition sectors in
Central and Eastern Europe are more varied.
At one end of the scale are modern
multiplex markets that retain potential for some growth yet, such
as the Czech Republic and Hungary. At the other end are markets in
their infancy, such as Romania and the Ukraine, which have over
100,000 people per cinema screen and have vast
potential.
Some countries are bridging this
gap, with Russia and Poland, for example, showing strong growth in
both admissions and screen numbers. The gap is set to close further
with new investment planned in neglected cinema markets across much
of the region. Some 300 screens will reportedly be built in Romania
alone. A time scale for such changes is more difficult to
establish, as the prevailing economic climate is likely to hinder
the pace of investment.
Screen Numbers
in Key Central and Eastern European Markets
2008
|
|
Screens
|
Population per
Screen
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bulgaria
|
117
|
64,897
|
|
Czech Republic
|
788
|
13,095
|
|
Estonia
|
67
|
19,866
|
|
Hungary
|
645
|
15,522
|
|
Latvia
|
50
|
45,300
|
|
Lithuania
|
81
|
41,617
|
|
Poland
|
1050
|
36,290
|
|
Romania
|
122
|
175,090
|
|
Russia
|
1864
|
76,062
|
|
Slovakia
|
227
|
23,789
|
|
Slovenia
|
101
|
21,558
|
|
Ukraine
|
281
|
163,199
|
In 2008, and despite difficult
economic conditions, exhibition in Central and Eastern Europe
enjoyed a largely positive year.
Five countries saw admissions jump
by more than 10% during 2008. Slovakian admissions grew by 25%
following strong performances by local movies. New multiplexes in
Romania and Bulgaria grew the markets there, with admissions up by
19% and 14% respectively. Latvian admissions rose by
14%.
While in Russia cinema continued
its inexorable rise, admissions rose 16% in 2008 but have increased
ten-fold since 2000. With 123.9 million admissions in 2008, Russia
overtook Western European counterparts Spain and Italy, and now
stands behind only France, the United Kingdom and Germany in the
European admissions league.
Cinema
Admissions in Key Central and Eastern European Markets 2007-2008
(in millions)
|
|
2007
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bulgaria
|
2.47
|
2.82
|
|
Czech Republic
|
12.83
|
12.88
|
|
Estonia
|
1.63
|
1.46
|
|
Hungary
|
11.09
|
10.35
|
|
Latvia
|
2.06
|
2.35
|
|
Lithuania
|
3.32
|
3.27
|
|
Poland
|
32.60
|
33.80
|
|
Romania
|
2.91
|
3.46
|
|
Russia
|
106.60
|
123.90
|
|
Slovakia
|
2.69
|
3.36
|
|
Slovenia
|
2.40
|
2.18
|
|
Ukraine
|
15.30
|
14.00
|
All statistics courtesy Dodona
Research
Two sides of Europe: Exhibition sees positive results in both evolving and mature markets
June 10, 2009
-By Alisdair Ritchie, Dodona Research
Exhibition in Europe can be split into two distinct regions. On one hand there are the mostly mature markets of Western and Northern Europe; and on the other the still-evolving markets of Central and Eastern Europe.2008 was a consistently strong year for exhibition in Western Europe. Admissions in the 12 countries detailed below came to 824 million, an increase of 1.5 million upon the previous year. The standout result came from France, where Bienvenue Chez les Ch'tis became the most successful film of all time and led admissions upward by 7%. Disappointing performances in Greece and Spain saw admissions fall by 14% and 8% respectively.
Cinema Admissions in Key Western European Markets 2003-2008 (in millions)
|
|
2003
|
2007
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Austria
|
17.74
|
15.69
|
15.63
|
|
Belgium
|
22.71
|
22.33
|
21.84
|
|
France
|
173.46
|
177.73
|
189.70
|
|
Germany
|
148.96
|
125.43
|
129.40
|
|
Greece
|
15.00
|
13.75
|
11.83
|
|
Ireland
|
17.43
|
18.37
|
18.18
|
|
Italy
|
105.47
|
116.29
|
111.63
|
|
Netherlands
|
24.87
|
23.06
|
23.51
|
|
Portugal
|
18.72
|
16.32
|
15.98
|
|
Spain
|
137.47
|
116.93
|
107.81
|
|
Switzerland
|
16.96
|
14.19
|
14.30
|
|
United Kingdom
|
167.50
|
162.43
|
164.22
|
Evidence that these markets have reached maturity can be found by looking at investment in screens across the markets as a whole and comparing this to returns in the form of admissions.Screen numbers rose by 852 between 2003 and 2008. The most marked increase was in the United Kingdom, which developed 292 more screens, with increases of more than 100 screens in France and Italy. Indeed, of all these countries, only Germany has seen screen numbers fall, by around 1.5%.In light of this investment, it would be hoped that admissions would react positively, but the reality is that admissions have fallen by over 40 million or just under 5%. Spain and Germany saw the greatest losses, with admissions dropping by 30% and 20% respectively; France, in large part due to its success in 2008, grew its admissions by 16%.There are many reasons for these differences, which are best described in our Cinemagoing research reports (see www.dodona.co.uk for more details), but it is evident that investment in cinemas is no longer enough. The arrival of 3D films will certainly add some vibrancy to a mature market, but the cinema experience itself needs to evolve, not just the product.
Number of Screens in Key Western European Markets 2003-2008
|
|
2003
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
Austria
|
553
|
577
|
|
Belgium
|
503
|
520
|
|
France
|
5299
|
5418
|
|
Germany
|
4868
|
4800
|
|
Greece
|
454
|
510
|
|
Ireland
|
331
|
430
|
|
Italy
|
3566
|
3750
|
|
Netherlands
|
602
|
640
|
|
Portugal
|
533
|
570
|
|
Spain
|
4253
|
4280
|
|
Switzerland
|
528
|
555
|
|
United Kingdom
|
3318
|
3610
|
The cinema market in Scandinavia is well-screened, particularly in Sweden and Norway, which have extensive networks of small community cinemas.
Cinemagoing Statistics in Scandinavia 2008
|
|
Screens
|
Population per Screen
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denmark
|
397
|
13,700
|
|
Finland
|
330
|
16,000
|
|
Norway
|
430
|
10,100
|
|
Sweden
|
1050
|
8,700
|
Admissions fluctuate from year to year but are generally flat. Results in 2008 improved across the Nordic nations, recovering from minor losses suffered during 2007.
|
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denmark
|
12.60
|
12.12
|
13.20
|
|
Finland
|
6.70
|
6.52
|
6.86
|
|
Norway
|
12.01
|
10.82
|
11.80
|
|
Sweden
|
15.29
|
14.91
|
15.24
|
In contrast to the established markets of Western and Northern Europe, the exhibition sectors in Central and Eastern Europe are more varied. At one end of the scale are modern multiplex markets that retain potential for some growth yet, such as the Czech Republic and Hungary. At the other end are markets in their infancy, such as Romania and the Ukraine, which have over 100,000 people per cinema screen and have vast potential. Some countries are bridging this gap, with Russia and Poland, for example, showing strong growth in both admissions and screen numbers. The gap is set to close further with new investment planned in neglected cinema markets across much of the region. Some 300 screens will reportedly be built in Romania alone. A time scale for such changes is more difficult to establish, as the prevailing economic climate is likely to hinder the pace of investment.
Screen Numbers in Key Central and Eastern European Markets 2008
|
|
Screens
|
Population per Screen
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bulgaria
|
117
|
64,897
|
|
Czech Republic
|
788
|
13,095
|
|
Estonia
|
67
|
19,866
|
|
Hungary
|
645
|
15,522
|
|
Latvia
|
50
|
45,300
|
|
Lithuania
|
81
|
41,617
|
|
Poland
|
1050
|
36,290
|
|
Romania
|
122
|
175,090
|
|
Russia
|
1864
|
76,062
|
|
Slovakia
|
227
|
23,789
|
|
Slovenia
|
101
|
21,558
|
|
Ukraine
|
281
|
163,199
|
In 2008, and despite difficult economic conditions, exhibition in Central and Eastern Europe enjoyed a largely positive year.Five countries saw admissions jump by more than 10% during 2008. Slovakian admissions grew by 25% following strong performances by local movies. New multiplexes in Romania and Bulgaria grew the markets there, with admissions up by 19% and 14% respectively. Latvian admissions rose by 14%.While in Russia cinema continued its inexorable rise, admissions rose 16% in 2008 but have increased ten-fold since 2000. With 123.9 million admissions in 2008, Russia overtook Western European counterparts Spain and Italy, and now stands behind only France, the United Kingdom and Germany in the European admissions league.
Cinema Admissions in Key Central and Eastern European Markets 2007-2008 (in millions)
|
|
2007
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bulgaria
|
2.47
|
2.82
|
|
Czech Republic
|
12.83
|
12.88
|
|
Estonia
|
1.63
|
1.46
|
|
Hungary
|
11.09
|
10.35
|
|
Latvia
|
2.06
|
2.35
|
|
Lithuania
|
3.32
|
3.27
|
|
Poland
|
32.60
|
33.80
|
|
Romania
|
2.91
|
3.46
|
|
Russia
|
106.60
|
123.90
|
|
Slovakia
|
2.69
|
3.36
|
|
Slovenia
|
2.40
|
2.18
|
|
Ukraine
|
15.30
|
14.00
|
All statistics courtesy Dodona Research
