A recent AP-NORC poll finds that a majority of Americans now prefer streaming new movie releases over going to theaters.
A new poll from the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that streaming is now the more popular way for Americans to watch newly released movies. About three-quarters of U.S. adults say they have streamed a new release at least once in the past year, and around 30 percent do so monthly.
In contrast, only 16 percent of respondents reported going to the theater to see a new release monthly. While roughly two-thirds have seen a recent movie in the theater over the past year, the frequency of theatrical attendance lags behind streaming habits.
Convenience, cost and shortening theatrical windows are among the key drivers of the shift. Ticket prices average $13.17 in the U.S., making streaming a more accessible option, especially for lower-income and older viewers.
Sherry Jenkins, 69, of New Jersey, says, “It’s much more convenient. I can watch anything I want, I just have to wait a month or two after the movies are released because they usually go to streaming pretty quickly.”
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