Nearly half of moviegoers cut cinema visits citing cost as primary factor: survey | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Nearly half of moviegoers reduced cinema visits over the past year due to a variety of factors, including rising costs and the growing appeal of streaming services, a recent survey showed Thursday. The Korean Film Council's annual survey on movie content consumption trends, released earlier this month, found that 45.8 percent of respondents had reduced their visits to local theaters from a year ago, with 16.5 percent reporting a "significant" reduction and 29.3 percent a "moderate" one. The Korean Film Council's survey on movie content consumption trends, released March 9, 2026, shows that 45.8 percent of respondents have reduced their visits to local theaters since a year ago, in this image provided by the KOFIC. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Among those who had cut back on visits, cost was the leading factor at 25.1 percent, followed by a lack of compelling movies in theaters at 21.5 percent and the anticipated availability of films on streaming services at 17.5 percent. A cinema in Seoul (Yonhap) Among film viewers, 56.1 percent said OTT platforms were their primary channel for watching movies, followed by television at 25.3 percent, video-on-demand services at 9 percent and movie theaters at 8.3 percent.

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SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Nearly half of moviegoers reduced cinema visits over the past year due to a variety of factors, including rising costs and the growing appeal of streaming services, a recent survey showed Thursday.
The Korean Film Council's annual survey on movie content consumption trends, released earlier this month, found that 45.8 percent of respondents had reduced their visits to local theaters from a year ago, with 16.5 percent reporting a "significant" reduction and 29.3 percent a "moderate" one.
Of the remaining respondents, 42.1 percent said their theater visits remained mostly unchanged, while 12.1 percent reported an increase.
The survey was conducted in October last year on 3,000 people aged 14-69 who watched more than one movie at the cinema or on streaming services from October 2024 to September 2025.
The Korean Film Council's survey on movie content consumption trends, released March 9, 2026, shows that 45.8 percent of respondents have reduced their visits to local theaters since a year ago, in this image provided by the KOFIC. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Among those who had cut back on visits, cost was the leading factor at 25.1 percent, followed by a lack of compelling movies in theaters at 21.5 percent and the anticipated availability of films on streaming services at 17.5 percent.
The survey found 41 percent of the respondents considered a reasonable ticket price to be between 8,000 won (US$5.50) and just under 10,000 won, much lower than the current cinema admission price of 14,000 to 15,000 won.
Meanwhile, 45.9 percent reported increased use of streaming services over the past year, while 41.6 percent reported similar usage and 12.6 percent reported a decline.
Among over-the-top (OTT) platforms, Netflix was the most widely used at 88 percent, followed by Coupang Play at 46.8 percent, Tving at 35.5 percent, Disney+ at 26.5 percent and Wavve at 14.4 percent. Respondents were allowed to select more than one answer.
A cinema in Seoul (Yonhap)
Among film viewers, 56.1 percent said OTT platforms were their primary channel for watching movies, followed by television at 25.3 percent, video-on-demand services at 9 percent and movie theaters at 8.3 percent.
But the survey noted the rise in OTT usage has not directly resulted in a decline in theater visits. Rather, it cited a variety of contributing factors, such as rising costs, the limited impact of government promotional policy, shifts in leisure lifestyles and changing viewing habits driven by film reviews.
Based on its findings, the report recommends the film industry come up with promotional policies better tailored to consumer needs, for example, offering greater incentives to price-sensitive family audiences. It also suggests the introduction of a holdback policy that would require a set window between a film's theatrical release and its availability on streaming platforms.
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)
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#survey
#Korean Film Council
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Nearly half of moviegoers cut cinema visits citing cost as primary factor: survey

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- The Korean Film Council's annual survey on movie content consumption trends, released earlier this month, found that 45.8 percent of respondents had reduced their visits to local theaters from a year ago, with 16.5 percent reporting a "significant" reduction and 29.3 percent a "moderate" one.
- Korea committed to expanding nuclear, missile programs; poses 'significant' threats to S.

### Areas for Consideration
- It also suggests the introduction of a holdback policy that would require a set window between a film's theatrical release and its availability on streaming platforms. jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #film viewing habits #survey #Korean Film Council Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- Rather, it cited a variety of contributing factors, such as rising costs, the limited impact of government promotional policy, shifts in leisure lifestyles and changing viewing habits driven by film reviews.
- It also suggests the introduction of a holdback policy that would require a set window between a film's theatrical release and its availability on streaming platforms. jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #film viewing habits #survey #Korean Film Council Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (2nd LD) N.
- Korea shows off 'human-like' robots at polling station, schools (LEAD) S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers percent, korea, survey topics. Notable strengths include discussion of percent. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 755.