Netherlands relaxes restrictions and paves the way for live events

The Government of the Netherlands has announced the further relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions for live events, venues and nightclubs.  From February 18, all locations will be able to stay open until 1am, up from the current 10pm curfew. However, until February 25, coronavirus entry passes must be shown at businesses such as cinemas, theatres, music …

Wales to relax remaining restrictions on events and venues

Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that from February 18, the legal requirement to show a COVID Pass to enter certain venues and events will be removed.  The COVID Pass was originally brought in to show proof of vaccination against coronavirus, or a negative test upon entry.  Drakeford said: “With increasing numbers of people …

Chinese New Year looks set for record Box Office takings 

Some RMB220m ($35m/£26m/€31m) in advance ticket sales have been taken for The Battle at Lake Changjin II for the film’s opening day alone, which looks set to conquer China’s box office ahead of the week-long Chinese New Year holiday. According to state-owned Global Times, The Battle at Lake Changjin II is leading other films due out on …

Dutch Government announces cautious re-opening

The Government of the Netherlands has announced that cinemas, theatres, music venues, museums, zoos and amusement parks can re-open from today (Wednesday). Locations are able to open from 5am but must close at 22:00. It is also mandatory for visitors over the age of 13 to theatres, music venues, museums and cinemas to present a …

TikTok owner ByteDance acquires cinema ticketing platform

Beijing-based ByteDance, an internet technology firm, has acquired cinema ticketing platform Leyinghui Cultural Media Co and comic platform Yizhikan. ByteDance, which also founded video-centric social media platform TikTok, has purchased Leyinghui from Shanghai-based Sky City Industrial Co. Leyinghui is a service provider of films, gifts, film entertainment marketing and other services. The company covers over …

Wales eases restrictions for outdoor events from tomorrow

COVID-19 restrictions in Wales will be eased over the next two weeks, including limits that had been brought in for live sport, outdoor events and nightclubs, due to the spread of the Omicron variant. From tomorrow (Saturday) the number of attendees allowed to be present at an outdoor event will rise from 50 to 500. …

France and Spain bounce back with cinema ticket sales

France and Spain posted galvanised Box Office figures at the end of 2021, with ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ providing a major boost. Compared to 2020, Box Office figures have increased by 47.2% in France and 45% in Spain, respectively. In France in 2021, 96 million tickets were sold for cinema admissions compared to 65.2 million …

‘Spiderman: No Way Home’ enjoys second-highest North American box office debut

‘Spiderman: No Way Home’, the latest instalment in the Spiderman series of films, grossed $260m (£196m/€230m) during its debut North American box office weekend – the second-biggest total in regional cinema history. The figure, according to Variety, beat an initial estimate of $253m and was second only to ‘Avengers: Endgame’, which opened to $357m in …

Marvel fans left frustrated by ticketing platform error

Indonesian Marvel and Spider-Man fans have been left frustrated as ticketing platform Tix ID had to issue mass refunds due to a system error. The day before Spider-Man: No Way Home is due to hit cinemas, some customers received notification that they had been automatically refunded for their tickets. More specifically, Tix ID had to …

COVID passes and masks for theatres, cinemas in England

Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday (Wednesday) announced that England will move to Plan B in a bid to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The update means the introduction of the NHS COVID Pass for entry into nightclubs and large events, which will begin Wednesday 15 December. In a statement, the UK …