Australia's largest cinema group, the Warner Bros/Greater Union/Village Roadshow joint venture, announced plans to double the size of their Australia-wide cinema chain through the development of 18 20-25-screen hi-tech megaplexes with capacities of between 5,000 and 6,000 seats.
The move, which is set to radically change the Australian exhibition landscape, involves a number of new sites as well as the expansion of many existing suburban cinema complexes. In a number of locations, they will be incorporated into large entertainment centres.
According to Paul Oneile, managing director of Greater Union, the move mirrors recent trends towards larger cinema complexes in the US. "It is our intention to develop megaplex centres in all of the markt areas we operate, to offer a greater choice of films and comfort that only these companis can provide."
All new complexes will incorporate the new exclusive Megascreen concept which has already proven very popular in Perth. "Our overall aim is to not only accomodate all the pent-up demand for out-of-home entertainment that exists in the key markets today, but provide for future demand well into the next Century," Oneile continued.
"In all we will have five megaplexes in each of Sydney and Melbourne and two each in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. We also intend to increase the number of screens in all the country areas in which we operate."
Village Roadshow Ltd managing director Graham Burke pointed out that in some States the government had yet to determine its final planning policy in relation to "stand-alone" cinema developments. "If there is a new direction of government policy away from regional shopping centre based developments toward 'stand alone entertainment complexes, we have put our foot on a number of alternate 'Greenfield' sites in each of the capital cities."
Warner Bros International Theatres concluded that the expansion programme "will catapult moviegoers into the 21st Century with a vision which cannot be duplicated by any other form of media." Henry Womersley
