I noticed that many theaters are actively filming their productions and uploading them to the internet. Is this a temporary measure or is it becoming a permanent practice now? Is this financially beneficial for theaters?
I don't think it's just a passing trend - online broadcasts have already become a normal part of theater life, just like live premieres. Theaters expand their audience (people don't have to travel to the city, elderly people and people with disabilities can watch from home), they get money from subscriptions and advertising, plus it's an additional PR machine that brings new viewers into the building for in-person performances - people who watched online and wanted to experience the atmosphere live.
Financially it might be profitable or unprofitable depending on how well it's done and how much money they spent on it, but it really helps in the long run - theaters don't lose the audience that would otherwise go to streaming services.
I agree that this has become part of theater life, but financially it's more complicated for theaters than it seems. Online streams do attract new audiences, but the money from online views is nowhere near what ticket sales bring in - especially since people can watch for free or for pennies on streaming platforms. I think theaters release recordings not so much for profit as for cultural reach and the hope that over time they can convert some of those online viewers into live theater audiences.
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