Cineworld, Owner of Regal, Proceeds With Chapter 11 Cases in Texas Bankruptcy Court
By Movieguide® Staff
Debt pile-up, accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has forced Cineworld Group, which owns Regal Cinemas in the U.S., to move forward with Chapter 11 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
“As part of the Chapter 11 cases, Cineworld, with the expected support of its secured lenders, will seek to implement a de-leveraging transaction that will significantly reduce the Group’s debt, strengthen its balance sheet and provide the financial strength and flexibility to accelerate, and capitalize on, Cineworld’s strategy in the cinema industry,” a Cineworld statement reads.
“The Group Chapter 11 Companies enter the Chapter 11 cases with commitments for an approximate $1.94 billion debtor-in-possession financing facility from existing lenders, which will help ensure Cineworld’s operations continue in the ordinary course while Cineworld implements its reorganization,” the statement continued.
Cineworld also announced a plan to “pursue a real estate optimisation strategy in the U.S. and intends to engage in collaborative discussions with U.S. landlords to improve U.S. cinema lease terms in an effort to further position the group for long-term growth.”
The announcement concluded that global and U.S. operations and business would continue despite their debt.
Variety reported:
The company recorded a $708.3 million loss before tax for the full year ending Dec. 31, 2021, a vast improvement from the $3 billion loss in 2020. However, the group’s net debt, excluding lease liabilities, increased by $492.7 million from $4.33 billion to $4.84 billion. In July 2021, Cineworld secured $200 million of additional liquidity via incremental loans.
“We have an incredible team across Cineworld laser focused on evolving our business to thrive during the comeback of the cinema industry,” Cineworld CEO Mooky Greidinger said. “The pandemic was an incredibly difficult time for our business, with the enforced closure of cinemas and huge disruption to film schedules that has led us to this point.”
“This latest process is part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen our financial position and is in pursuit of a de-leveraging that will create a more resilient capital structure and effective business. This will allow us to continue to execute our strategy to reimagine the most immersive cinema experiences for our guests through the latest and most cutting- edge screen formats and enhancements to our flagship theatres. Our goal remains to further accelerate our strategy so we can grow our position as the best place to watch a movie,” Greidinger continued.
Cineworld accounts for 9,139 screens globally.
Despite many larger theater chains suffering from debt and a lack of blockbuster movies as the box office transitions from the Summer season to the Fall, Movieguide® previously reported that independent theaters are not as nervous about the revenue struggles:
Despite initial concern from AMC and other large theater chains over the lack of looming blockbusters for the fall box office, smaller exhibitors are less worried.
As Cineworld Group, which owns Regal Cinemas, faces bankruptcy, other theater chains with less debt said that the traditionally slow months of August, September, and October are not an issue due to the help of arthouse movies.
“This is a slower than normal slow period, but it’s not a catastrophic crater,” Tim League, executive chairman and founder of Alamo Drafthouse, said.
Jeff Brein, a managing partner of Far Away Entertainment, said he would likely reduce showtimes and staff for the upcoming months to try to cut costs.
“We don’t have much control over what the studios give us and when they give it to us. All we can do is control our operations and respond and react accordingly,” Brein said.
“I’m really not alarmed or losing a lot of sleep over the slate, as it is, for us and for the industry,” Brein added.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
