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 $(000s)

Territory ''''.2001 est. ''.2010 est
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