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.
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. Not revenue.
Where the data comes from
The usual wayCinemas' reports, compiled by data providers and the trade press.
SEATmioThe seat maps cinemas publish for online booking. No agreements with cinemas, 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 cinema.
SEATmioEach screening in each room, rolling up to cinema, chain, film and market.
Before release
The usual wayNot visible.
SEATmioA presale curve per film, compared with similar films, and an opening-week projection.
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. It does not measure box office revenue, 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. Presale curves are recorded from September 2026, so comparisons with past releases get richer over time.
- We count seats, not people: no demographics, awareness or intent to watch.
See your market in SEATmio
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The description of industry practice is based on the public sources listed above, checked on 2026-09-27. Corrections are welcome at [email protected].