MADRID — Powered by a 5% ticket price rise, the Spanish B.O. saw sol y sombra in 2006.
Lightening the gloom, total B.O. rose 2% to Euros 646.7 million ($851.6 million), the second-highest figure in history, according to estimations by Nielsen EDI Spain.
But, clouding the picture, admissions edged down 3% to 124 million, the worst result since the Spanish Civil War.
Though box office held in monetary terms — and the Euro rose against the dollar over 2006, strengthening return to the U.S. majors — this year's results don't give ground for rampant optimism, given that B.O. takings dropped a huge 9% in 2005 from a best-ever $910.8 million in 2004.
"Spain is a mature market in terms of box office receipts. Spectators dropped for the second-year running, although 2006 can't be judged a disaster," said Arturo Guillen at Nielsen EDI Spain.
Indeed, countering the gloomsters, the Spanish B.O. still held pretty well, despites escalating piracy and the absence of established franchises such as "Harry Potter," "Star Wars" and "Lord of the Rings."
"Pirates of the Caribbean" achieved franchise status with a B.O.-topping $37.9 million for "Dead Man's Chest," just pipping "The Da Vinci Code" ($35.7 million) and ahead of "Ice Age: The Meltdown" ($25.3 million) and Spanish blockbuster "Alatriste" ($22.0 million).
Top three pics in 2006 grossed together over 35% more than the biggest three blockbusters in 2005, and 10% more than the best trio of performers in banner year 2004, confirming that select tentpoles weathered B.O. turbulence well last year.
Fox emerged as the highest-grossing studio with a 20% Spanish market share followed by a near draw between UIP (15%), and Sony and BVI (both 14%).
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