How it is usually done
The traditional rhythm: a film opens, and on Sunday and Monday studios, data providers, and the trade press report the weekend. In many markets the figures come later, weekly, or only as totals per film.
The usual way is enough when
- You only need the final result, for reporting or settlement.
- You need official revenue figures.
SEATmio is the better fit when
- You want to know how a release is tracking before it opens.
- You need to adjust screen counts, advertising, or programming while it still matters.
- You work in markets where official figures are late or incomplete.
- You want today's tickets updated every minute, against the same weekday last week.
Side by Side
The usual way
SEATmio
What is measured
The usual wayRevenue and admissions per film.
SEATmioSeats sold in each screening, and so tickets and occupancy. Revenue is estimated from those tickets at each country's average ticket price.
Where the data comes from
The usual wayTheaters' reports, compiled by data providers and the trade press.
SEATmioThe seat maps theaters publish for online booking. No agreements with theaters, no personal data.
When you see it
The usual wayAfter the weekend, in some markets weekly or later.
SEATmioSame day. Presales are read repeatedly before release, the final read minutes before the show.
Level of detail
The usual wayPer film and weekend, sometimes per theater.
SEATmioEach screening in each room, rolling up to theater, chain, film, and market.
Before release
The usual wayNot visible.
SEATmioPresales per film, day by day, by country, and by chain, from the day the first chain opens sales to the premiere.
Other chains
The usual wayTotals per film, no view of individual screenings.
SEATmioEvery chain in coverage is measured the same way, competitors included.
Access
The usual wayHeadlines are free, the detail is by subscription.
SEATmioBy agreement after a short call, with a trial scoped to your markets, chains, or titles.
Using Both
Weekend grosses remain the scoreboard. SEATmio covers the days before them, when decisions are still open.
Where SEATmio Falls Short
A fair comparison has to say this too.
- SEATmio estimates tickets from seat maps, and revenue from those tickets at each country's average ticket price. It does not report box office takings, and seats sold at the counter after our last read are not included, so our figures can differ from official grosses.
- We only see chains that publish seat maps online. Some chains and markets are missing, and some are read less often than others.
- For most chains our history starts when we began reading them. Presales are recorded from September 2026, so comparisons with the presales of earlier releases will come once there is enough history.
- We count seats, not people: no demographics and no surveys. Our interest index is built from public signals, not from asking audiences.
See Your Market in SEATmio
Tell us which markets, chains, or titles you follow. We reply within one working day and show you real data on a short call.
Book a DemoSources
The description of industry practice is based on the public sources listed above, checked on 2026-10-05. Corrections are welcome at [email protected].