Antitrust Probe: Cinemark Gets DoJ Notice After AMC and Regal

An antitrust probe is being carried out with all diligence into a trio of huge American theater chains. Only time will tell what the outcome of this investigation will be.

In LA Land, recently, intense scrutiny began on the level of the law regarding some large movie theater chains. The issue was whether these huge conglomerates were exercising a monopoly on film fare.

Whether they are keeping competitors in the movie industry from coming up with sell-able films is a moot point that will only be decided after further proof comes to the fore. The whole inquiry is picking up speed though. 

Cinemark Holdings received an order to show the necessary information from the antitrust authorities. Meanwhile, Regal Entertainment Group and AMC Entertainment were slapped with the same show order.

These two happen to be the main competition for Cinemark Holdings. The trio control about less than half the screen space in America which of course amounts to a lot of leverage ability. 

The main problem is one of clearances. The theater chains disallow any other movie from entertaining audiences nearby when one of their own theaters is showing it in that particular location.

The less-well-known companies have been up in arms against these big fish since some time now. And finally they have decided to band together and invoke the law in this matter, according to Reuters. Most of Tinsel Town sees this as another flash in the pan though. It occurs cyclically every decade or so.