(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A major movie theater chain has come up with a new way to make money during the pandemic.
AMC is renting out movie theaters for $99.
Private parties of up to 20 people can watch from a list of current releases and classic titles.
The pandemic is hitting the movie theater industry on two fronts. People don't want to congregate with others inside an enclosed space, and movie studios are pushing their major releases into next year.
Media Analyst Tom Layson on Friday told the Noon Business Hour that AMC is doing what it can to survive.
"This is part of the survival plan that includes selling shares, negotiating with landords, possible asset sales, and trying to add cleaning and air filtration," Layson said.
He added that the theater chains know large crowds won't return until after the pandemic ends.
"It really doesn't matter what they do, in a lot of ways, when it comes to moviegoing. People will not come back until they feel safe," Layson said.