Hey Kids, Let's Sell Some Tickets

I saw Akeelah and the Bee Saturday afternoon at the AMC at Ward Parkway, my neighborhood movie theater. The film was released the day before, yet less than two dozen people were in the enormous theater.

The tickets were costly and I spent even more on popcorn and beverages. Still, it's no secret that DVD sales and disruptive audiences, to say nothing of the prohibitive expenses of movie-going, are damaging the business of exhibition companies like AMC.

I propose that Kansas City-based AMC experiment with an auction-style sales model, sort of a cross between eBay and Priceline. Opening day tickets to a blockbuster might sell for a premium. Entry to older films, or movies that have yet to develop a word-of-mouth following, would sell for bargain prices. It’s money that would otherwise not be realized. The idea is to reduce number the empty seats; surely any losses would be covered at the concession stand.

How about it, AMC?