PARIS -- UGC, France's leading exhibitor, has widened the gap over its direct competitors thanks to its controversial unlimited-entry pass.
In the Paris region, attendance rose 11% in 2000, with UGC, seeing 70% of the total growth, increasing its market share from 36% to 40%.
Statistics released by France's national film center (CNC) revealed that half of all Paris theaters offer unlimited-entry passes.
Gaumont, France's No. 2 exhib, which developed its own pass, caught up some lost ground on UGC, increasing its share of Paris attendance from 21% to 24%.
Across the board, indie exhibitors and small chains lost several percentage points of market share.
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