MoviePass
 | |
| Industry | Film, Entertainment, Technology |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Stacy Spikes, Hamet Watt |
| Headquarters | New York, United States |
| Website | http://www.moviepass.com |
MoviePass is a subscription-based service for going to movie theaters available in the United States. The service gives members across the country the ability to see up to one 2D movie every 24 hours for a fixed monthly fee. Members may choose which theaters they wish to attend and there are no “blackout dates”. MoviePass works in nearly all movie theaters that accept the MasterCard credit card, making it one of the largest subscription-based theater networks in America. Prices vary by local market and start at $30 per month.
MoviePass was launched in February 2011 and is headquartered in New York City.[1]
Service
The MoviePass service works via a smartphone app (iPhone, Android) and a specially designed, reloadable debit card, which is mailed to new subscribers when they sign up.
Purchasing a ticket
In order to purchase a ticket, members must be within 100 yards of the chosen theater. They check-in to the theater via the smartphone app and select their preferred movie and show-time.[2] Once they check-in, their debit card is automatically loaded with the exact price of a single ticket for that particular location. The card can then be used like any other form of credit or debit card to purchase a ticket at the theater kiosk or ticket counter. Movie tickets can only be purchased every 24 hours and as of 2014, no 3D or IMAX films are included in the plan.
History
MoviePass was founded in 2011 by technology and entertainment entrepreneurs Stacy Spikes and Hamet Watt. The company launched in beta in June 2011 in San Francisco, but during initial trials the company received some resistance[3] from movie theater chains and paused both the service and the introduction of new members until later in the year.
From September 2011 to September 2012 MoviePass operated on a voucher system where members could print a voucher on their home computer and redeem it in participating theaters for a movie ticket.
In October 2012, the company introduced a new proprietary location-based payment technology, and provides a secure and independent way for MoviePass members to purchase tickets.[4]
MoviePass is backed by major investors including True Ventures, AOL Ventures, WME, NaLa Pictures, Lambert Media, Brian Lee, Diego Berdakin, MJ Eng, Ryan Steelberg, and Adam Lilling.[5]
Media coverage
MoviePass has been featured in a wide range of publications including The New York Times,[6] TechCrunch[7] and Variety.[8]
MoviePass was also named as one of the 25 Most Disruptive Apps of 2012 and The Best of Everything in 2012 by Business Insider.[9][10]
References
- ↑ Hardawar, Devindra. "MoviePass debuts an unlimited movie service that may just save cinemas". VentureBeat
- ↑ "MoviePass Service Adds Funds Your Card When You Reach the Theater". PC Magazine
- ↑ Fleming, Mike. "AMC Passes On MoviePass". Deadline New York.
- ↑ Tuttle, Brad. "MoviePass Goes National: Unlimited Trips to the Movies from $25 Per Month". TIME
- ↑ "MoviePass Company Profile". CrunchBase.
- ↑ Joshua Brustein, "A Movie a Day, Without Going Broke", New York Times, 18 January 2013
- ↑ "Why MoviePass Is Bringing Subscription Moviegoing To Theaters". TechCrunch. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ↑ "Third time’s the charm for MoviePass?". Variety. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ↑ "The Top 25 Most Disruptive Apps Of 2012 - Business Insider". Business Insider. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ↑ "The Best Of Everything In 2012". Business Insider. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2014.