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Movies’ future in US lies in cable, satellite: Starz CEO
MUMBAI: “Movies will regularly premiere in the US on cable and satellite, rather than in theatres within the next ten years.”
The prediction comes from Starz Encore Group chairman, founder, and CEO John J Sie. According to her, the distribution route for films is going to undergo a sea change.
Speaking in the Harvard Business School media conference recently, she said a number of factors would contribute to this scenario. One of them is the widespread adoption of high definition television sets by Americans and the deployment of video on demand.
The economics of the movie business will drive studios to make use of this audience to debut their films.”Last year, the theatrical screenings of films generated about $5 billion in revenue for the studios compared with $4 billion from cable and satellite. Clearly, we are rapidly approaching the tipping point where it will make more sense for studios to release their films first on cable and satellite, and later in the theaters”, she said.
Releasing a film on satellite and cable can save millions in distribution costs, Sie pointed out. And the economics are irresistible. Sie noted that there are about five million HD capable sets in the US today. In the next decade, that figure is likely to rise to 50 million or about 50 per cent of US television households.
“If a major studio can debut a film at a price of $19.95 which is what it costs two people to go to the theater and attract 20 per cent of HD homes to watch that would generate $200 million in revenue on the opening day. This is a blockbuster number in anybody’s book”.
However Sie did not forecast the demise of the movie theater. “Millions of Americans still love the experience of getting out of the house and going to a theater and always will. But in the future, big films will debut in the home and create the buzz for their theatrical releases, rather than the other way around.”
However one thing that could prove a hurdle in the predictions is the threat of piracy. Starz claims to be the largest provider of premium movie services in the US. It has around 151 million pay units.
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TV9 to host What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 in Delhi
PM Narendra Modi to keynote two day forum on India and the world
NEW DELHI: TV9 Network is gearing up to host the fourth edition of its flagship What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 on March 23 and 24 in the national capital, bringing together a wide spectrum of voices to debate India’s place in a shifting global order.
The summit will open with a keynote address by Narendra Modi, setting the tone for this year’s theme, “India and the world”, as the country positions itself at the crossroads of economic growth, geopolitical shifts and technological change.
From cabinet ministers to chief ministers, business leaders to cultural figures, the event promises a crowded stage and a lively exchange of ideas. Union ministers such as Piyush Goyal and Jyotiraditya Scindia are expected to attend, alongside state leaders including Mohan Yadav, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Nayab Singh Saini and Bhagwant Mann.
Political voices from across the aisle, including Smriti Irani, Akhilesh Yadav and Asaduddin Owaisi, will also join the conversation, ensuring that the debates are as diverse as they are dynamic.
Adding a cultural and sporting touch, personalities such as yoga guru Swami Ramdev, poet Kumar Vishwas and cricketing names like Sourav Ganguly, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh are set to share the stage. Global business leaders and diplomats will further widen the lens, reflecting the summit’s international outlook.
Speaking ahead of the event, TV9 Network managing director and chief executive officer Barun Das, said India stands at a unique moment in history, combining demographic strength, technological capability and entrepreneurial energy. He noted that in uncertain times, honest conversations and bold ideas will shape the country’s trajectory.
The summit will explore themes ranging from economic growth and governance to innovation, sustainability and culture, positioning itself as a platform for dialogue at a time when the world is in flux.
With a packed agenda and a high-profile guest list, What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 aims to do more than just talk. It seeks to capture a moment where India is not only part of the global conversation, but increasingly helping lead it.
