TEXTING IN THEATERS? MANY WANT IT

People texting in theaters during a movie is one of the reasons often cited for the continued decline in attendance in recent years. Many theaters now precede movies with announcements asking patrons not to text, not to talk, and to turn off their cellphones and pagers. Some chains have even thrown out moviegoers who ignore those announcements. But a new poll conducted for the Hollywood Reporter by research firm Penn Schoen Berland has found that a majority of 18-34-year-olds — the demographic group that accounts for the lion’s share of ticket sales — believe that being able to access social-media sites would enhance their movie-going experience and nearly half would be interested in seeking out theaters that allowed texting and web surfing during movies. The study concluded, “Having dedicated social-media-friendly seats, or even entire theaters, can make the moviegoing experience more relevant and enjoyable for them.”