AMC Theaters has transferred its streaming library to Fandango’s Vudu as the theater chain prepares for the demise of its own streaming platform, AMC Theaters On Demand.
Starting Thursday, AMC Theaters On Demand users will be able to transfer their accounts to Vudu to rent and purchase movies and watch previously purchased movies. New Vudu users switching from AMC Theaters On Demand will receive a 15 percent discount on any purchase during their first month of using the service.
Vudu’s catalog, combined with AMC Theater’s library, gives users access to more than 200,000 new releases and a collection of titles that are free to watch. Movies previously purchased on AMC Theaters On Demand will also be automatically upgraded to the highest quality format on Vudu, including 4K Ultra HD on applicable programs.
The move to Vudu comes four years after AMC launched its own on-demand streaming platform in late 2019, allowing AMC Stubs members to rent and purchase movies at home, with prices ranging from $3 to $6 for rentals and $10 to $20 for purchases .
Since then, the theater chain has been recovering from economic challenges, in part due to changing cinema habits due to the pandemic. In May, the company reported a loss of $235.5 million in the first quarter, while sales rose to $954.4 million.
“As the first theatrical exhibitor in the United States to bring home premium motion pictures through the lifecycle of theaters, we at AMC are proud to have served our guests across a variety of platforms during the pandemic,” said Nikkole Denson-Randolph, AMC’s please content strategy and inclusive programming, said in a statement. “As we continue to evolve our business and stay focused on Making Movies Better by improving the movie theater experience, we are even more excited to expand our relationship with a trusted partner who will ensure a continued outstanding experience for those consumers who stream their movies . post-theatrical films at home.”
