A December 31, 2006 article, "Films in Cable Crunch" by Gabriel Snyder and John Dempsey, suggests that the future of threatrical movies sales to cable networks will be in significant jeopardy beginning in 2008, when contracts between major cable networks and movie studios are due to expire. Snyder and Dempsey claim that the studios are in danger of losing its "cash cow" of theatrical movie sales because cable executives are convinced that producing and owning their own movies will be more profitable. As you may soon discover, I am a hugh proponent of Hollywood filmmaking and theatrical distribution.

Having said that, I contend that movie-goers prefer and continue to patronize movie theaters as long as films are worth it. Hollywood films must become more intriguing, more entertaining, more compelling, and provide a unique experience for the movie-goer. Cable networks are sure to lose profitability if they choose to not renew the contracts they have with movie studios.

Staying at home and watching a film release on a television or on the Internet, is in no way either equally or more entertaining than watching a film at the theatre. At the theatre there is a BIG screen, the sound effects, the expensive snacks, the heckling, the sticky floors, the long lines, and most important, the reactions of the crowd. Sure, sometimes these events can be frustrating, but the events at the theatre cannot be replaced. It is an outing that many of us look forward to.

We as film consumers use pay-per-view in response to the what we have heard about a movie from those who have seen it at the theatre. We are often disappointed because watching the same movie at home does not produce the same experience. Simply put, the cable networks will experience a significant economic loss should they not renew their contracts with film studios.

Filmmakers, Take this survey!