Retailing, Franchising, and Consumerism Business Intelligence in China


Chinese Company Takes Bigger Stake In American Cinemas

Who controls the American movie business? With its latest acquisition, it looks like a Chinese firm is trying to plant its flag in how Americans digest film culture.

China-based Wanda's subsidiary AMC Entertainment will acquire American cinema chain Carmike Cinemas for USD1.1 billion. This makes Wanda the largest cinema chain in the world.

Wanda did not comment on the news.

AMC currently has 5,425 screens and Carmike has about 2,954 screens. With this acquisition, Wanda will become the world's largest cinema chain. AMC reportedly offered to buy Carmike at USD30 per share, which is a premium of about 19.5% compared with Carmike's closing price recently.

AMC, the second largest movie company in the US, was acquired by Wanda with USD2.6 billion in May 2012. One year after the acquisition, AMC was successfully listed on the New York Stock Exchange and raised USD400 million. In December 2015, the company acquired Starplex Cinemas for USD127 million.

Carmike was founded in 1982 and grew into a publicly-listed cinema operating chain. The company has about 2,954 screens in 249 cinemas, covering 35 states in America.





Image Credit: Ken Wolter


Be the first to comment on "Chinese Company Takes Bigger Stake In American Cinemas"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*