Research conducted by the Informa Media Group reveals that global box office revenues are expected to climb by 36% - or $6bn - between 2001 and 2010 to $24bn. Over the same period, the global screen count is predicted to remain virtually static - at 149,000, as several territories shed traditional theatres.

The global average ticket price is only $1.90, though, according to the report, this figure reflects the low charges in most parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Ticket prices are expected to fall in several countries, over the period, notably in Japan, as competition intensifies.

The following table charts the projected box office revenues per cinema screen over the period, with Japan the only territory to show a decrease in profitability. This is due to a combination of rapid cinema growth outstripping the increase in admissions, and the projected decline in ticket prices noted above.

BOX OFFICE PROJECTIONS:
GLOBAL SCREEN AVERAGES: 2001- 2010

Territory2001 $000s 2010 $ (000s)
Hong Kong 689 752
Japan 540 502
South Korea 338 348
UK 308 329
Singapore 290 327
Belgium 274 323
Switzerland 249 300
Netherlands 220 284
USA 213 272
Australia 206 259
Argentina 201 239
Greece 194 239
Italy 192 232
Mexico 188 230
Denmark 185 222
Canada 167 221
Austria 164 214
France 162 200
Germany 160 196
Spain 139 186
Sweden 107 184
Brazil 97 158
Poland 73 128
South Africa 67 87
Russia 46 83

Source: Informa Media Group