Exhibitors warn proposed law requiring dual showtimes for trailers would be impractical and costly
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Summary
Theater representatives told the committee SB 797 — which would require separate advertised start times for pre‑show content and the feature film — is operationally impractical, could harm small theaters and suggested industry voluntary disclosures as a compromise.
Movie exhibitors told the General Law Committee on Feb. 19, 2025, that a proposed law requiring theaters to post two start times — one for pre‑show advertising and one for the feature film — would be confusing for patrons, technically infeasible in many cases and could hurt small and dine‑in operators.
Truman Thompson, a cinema manager with 32 years’ experience, and Doug Murdoch, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Theater Owners, said trailer playlists change frequently, studios supply and rotate trailer packages, and showtimes are often put on sale 30 days before a release. Murdoch said many theaters would face website, signage and ticketing costs and that fines proposed in the bill would be excessive and impractical.
Exhibitors suggested a voluntary or regulatory approach: add a consumer‑facing disclaimer on advertising and ticket pages noting that run times and local pre‑show advertising can vary, or publish an approximate end‑time for events so patrons know when to expect to leave. Committee members said they heard the concerns and said they would consider amendments; Sen. Kissel said he opposed the bill on policy grounds and would vote no if it reached a committee vote.
No vote was taken at the hearing; committee staff said industry proposals and voluntary disclosure options would be considered in follow‑up drafting.