Amc Entertainment Inc

AMC Entertainment Inc. said Thursday that it will close as many as 548 screens, or about 80 of its 186 theaters, becoming the second big movie exhibitor this week to announce massive shutdowns in the wake of the industry's overbuilding spree. The No. 4 U.S. theater operator, based in Kansas City, Mo., said in an investor conference call that it has targeted 307 mostly under-performing screens for disposal by early 2004 and is putting an additional 241 on watch for possible closure.

Access: AMC Entertainment Inc. says it will spend $21 million over five years to modify 113 stadium-style movie theaters after a federal court ruled it violated regulations regarding accommodations for people in wheelchairs. * Halftime: MTV will produce the halftime show for the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, something it did once before, for the 2001 game.

Access: AMC Entertainment Inc. says it will spend $21 million over five years to modify 113 stadium-style movie theaters after a federal court ruled it violated regulations regarding accommodations for people in wheelchairs. * Halftime: MTV will produce the halftime show for the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, something it did once before, for the 2001 game.

In a controversial marketing gamble, Sony Pictures quietly made a deal with four theater chains to pay for the placement of previews for upcoming films that previously were shown at no cost to studios. The move is being criticized by executives from other major studios who worry that, at a time costs are skyrocketing everywhere in the movie business, the free advertising may be in jeopardy.

Ron D. Leslie, president of one of the nation's largest theater chains, AMC Entertainment Inc., is resigning after 18 years with the company, officials announced Tuesday. Leslie, who was also chief operating officer, plans to pursue other opportunities in the entertainment industry, said Stanley H. Durwood, AMC chairman and chief executive. Durwood will become president, and William Doeren was named the new chief operating officer. Doeren is a senior vice president of operations and a director.

AMC Entertainment Inc., one of the biggest U.S. operators of movie theaters, said its fiscal third-quarter loss narrowed as ticket sales rose. The loss for the fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 28 narrowed to $8.19 million, or 35 cents a share, from $8.91 million, or 38 cents, a year earlier, AMC said in a statement. Revenue rose 7.2% to $305.4 million from $285 million. The movie theater industry has faced tough times in recent years as eight movie chains have filed for bankruptcy.

In a controversial marketing gamble, Sony Pictures quietly made a deal with four theater chains to pay for the placement of previews for upcoming films that previously were shown at no cost to studios. The move is being criticized by executives from other major studios who worry that, at a time costs are skyrocketing everywhere in the movie business, the free advertising may be in jeopardy.

AMC Entertainment Inc. said Thursday that it will close as many as 548 screens, or about 80 of its 186 theaters, becoming the second big movie exhibitor this week to announce massive shutdowns in the wake of the industry's overbuilding spree. The No. 4 U.S. theater operator, based in Kansas City, Mo., said in an investor conference call that it has targeted 307 mostly under-performing screens for disposal by early 2004 and is putting an additional 241 on watch for possible closure.

AMC Entertainment Inc., one of the biggest U.S. operators of movie theaters, said its fiscal third-quarter loss narrowed as ticket sales rose. The loss for the fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 28 narrowed to $8.19 million, or 35 cents a share, from $8.91 million, or 38 cents, a year earlier, AMC said in a statement. Revenue rose 7.2% to $305.4 million from $285 million. The movie theater industry has faced tough times in recent years as eight movie chains have filed for bankruptcy.

Stanley H. Durwood, the man who is credited with developing the concept of multiplex theaters, has been the target of many a moviegoer's wrath. And yet, in Hollywood circles he is praised for almost single-handedly rescuing the theater business from obsolescence. Ticket-buyers disparage him because he started the trend toward tiny movie theaters--something he has moved away from in recent years.

Stanley H. Durwood, the man who is credited with developing the concept of multiplex theaters, has been the target of many a moviegoer's wrath. And yet, in Hollywood circles he is praised for almost single-handedly rescuing the theater business from obsolescence. Ticket-buyers disparage him because he started the trend toward tiny movie theaters--something he has moved away from in recent years.

A Chinese conglomerate took a big leap forward into the U.S. market late Sunday by acquiring AMC Entertainment Inc., the nation's second-largest theater chain. It was the latest in a flurry of high-profile deals between the nations' entertainment industries. Dalian Wanda Group said in a statement it had reached an agreement to acquire AMC's 5,034 screens in 346 multiplexes in the U.S. and Canada. AMC, based in Kansas City, Mo., is owned by several investment firms, including JPMorgan Partners, Apollo Investment Fund and Bain Capital Investors.

Ron D. Leslie, president of one of the nation's largest theater chains, AMC Entertainment Inc., is resigning after 18 years with the company, officials announced Tuesday. Leslie, who was also chief operating officer, plans to pursue other opportunities in the entertainment industry, said Stanley H. Durwood, AMC chairman and chief executive. Durwood will become president, and William Doeren was named the new chief operating officer. Doeren is a senior vice president of operations and a director.