CHINA’S BOX OFFICE DECLINES (BUT NOT AS MUCH AS U.S.)

China is experiencing the same sort of box-office doldrums as the U.S. In the first quarter revenue slipped to $400 million, versus $450 million for the same period a year ago, Daily Variety reported today (Thursday). That’s a decline of 11 percent, about half the size of the downturn in North America. Last year, revenue in China was up 64 percent over the previous year. The reversal comes at a time when China is engaged in a massive cinema building spree. The country’s 6,200 theaters are expected to double over the next four years.