MK2–EuroPalaces alliance terminated
The subject of membership passes that give cinemagoers unlimited access to film screenings is intent on causing unease this year among French exhibitors. After the war was ignited and then quenched by the UGC, who called for a decrease in the fee paid to distributors (see article and news), now MK2 is kicking up a fuss.
As of November 1, Marin Karmitz’s company (11 cinemas and 64 screens in Paris) will no longer participate in the Le Pass card, with which it has been jointly associated with EuroPalaces (Gaumont and Pathé theatres) in the Ile de France since 2003. The reason behind the decision could be the recent row between the two groups, who fought for exhibition rights in a cinema in Paris’ 15th arrondissement.
However, the argument may only be a pretext since during the debate on the UGC Unlimited Pass Karmitz was quoted in the press as saying that membership passes were no longer profitable.
Meanwhile, UGC, who already offers its classic, unlimited access membership pass for €18 per month nationwide, now plans to launch the UGC Unlimited Card 2. For €32 a month, its holder can attend all screenings accompanied by a person of his or her choice.
EuroPalaces will make Le Pass available in Gaumont and Pathé theatres across France, for an approximate 750 screens.
(Translated from French)
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