U.S. theater seats expand as audiences get fatter

[dejr_8]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38225884/ns/today-entertainment/

NEW YORK — Seats in U.S. theaters have gotten bigger during the last century to accommodate the expanding size of the members of the audience.
A new report by Theatre Projects Consultants, a company that helps to design theaters, showed that from 1900 to 1990, the width of seats increased from 19 to 21 inches (48 to 53 centimeters).
In the last 20 years seat size has expanded an inch. Leg room has increased and space between rows has also grown.
"People have certainly gotten taller and wider over the years so many people find they are just not comfortable in the seats that would have worked 30 or more years ago," said John Coyne, an author of the report and a U.S. director of the company.
Bigger seats have meant higher costs for theaters and their patrons because modern auditoriums can hold only half the number of people as a similar size auditorium built in early 1900, according to the report.
Since 1990, the size and cost of auditoriums have grown almost 30 percent.
Mostly a U.S.-only trend
Theatre Projects Consultants, which has helped design more than 1,200 theaters in 70 countries, used data from the company's U.S. clients for the report and looked at both new facilities and renovations.

 

[FergieTCat]

Are we going to discuss increase in height or width?

 

[wvjules]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38225884/ns/today-entertainment/

NEW YORK — Seats in U.S. theaters have gotten bigger during the last century to accommodate the expanding size of the members of the audience.
A new report by Theatre Projects Consultants, a company that helps to design theaters, showed that from 1900 to 1990, the width of seats increased from 19 to 21 inches (48 to 53 centimeters).
In the last 20 years seat size has expanded an inch. Leg room has increased and space between rows has also grown.
"People have certainly gotten taller and wider over the years so many people find they are just not comfortable in the seats that would have worked 30 or more years ago," said John Coyne, an author of the report and a U.S. director of the company.
Bigger seats have meant higher costs for theaters and their patrons because modern auditoriums can hold only half the number of people as a similar size auditorium built in early 1900, according to the report.
Since 1990, the size and cost of auditoriums have grown almost 30 percent.
Mostly a U.S.-only trend
Theatre Projects Consultants, which has helped design more than 1,200 theaters in 70 countries, used data from the company's U.S. clients for the report and looked at both new facilities and renovations.

That is just sad. People are getting fatter so lets just start making things bigger? How about we leave things the way they are and start education programs on nutrition and exercise.

 

[wvjules]

Are we going to discuss increase in height or width?

I went with width becaue that can be controlled...other than the billions and billions and of obese people with thyroid or other medical issues, of course.

 

[FergieTCat]

I went with width becaue that can be controlled...other than the billions and billions and of obese people with thyroid or other medical issues, of course.

Of course! Silly me!

 

[SandrA9810]

It is nice that there's more leg room. I'm sure 30 yrs ago an average man probably wasn't that comfortable sitting in a small seat. Plus it allows for people to move past you without having their behind in your face.

I like the new recliner fancy smancy seating, which would still take up a lot more room than the old theater folding seats. But 19" to 21" doesn't really affect me at all. Just as long as the arm rest don't get too far apart to be uncomfortable.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

That is just sad. People are getting fatter so lets just start making things bigger? How about we leave things the way they are and start education programs on nutrition and exercise.

You think it's the responsibility of movie theatres to do that? From a business perspective, that doesn't make any sense.

VP: "Mr CEO, I think our company should make bigger seats for the people in our theatres."

CEO: "No, we should ignore 30% of our demographic! Better yet, let's have PSAs telling people not to get fat before the movie. We have 30 minutes of commercials now before the movie starts. What's about 5 minutes?"

VP: "What about all of the snacks we serve? Isn't that hypocritical?"

CEO: "From now on, our snack bars will only serve vegetables and bottled water!"

 

[Desnik]

I have gone to many broadway shows in NYC and some of those theater seats are small for me and I am 5'3" 110lbs!!!! I really don't know how larger people can sit comfortably in any of them. So many times I have had people practically on top of me! I just always chalked it up to the whole "NYC theater experience".

When they talk about the theater they are talking about Broadway type theater shows, not movie theaters. at least that is how the story was stated on our local NY news channel.

 

[pigletgirl]

Because 30% of adult americans are categorized as obese. 55% (or something close to there) are overweight...

Majority rules and if movie theatres want their sales to stay the same (or increase) you have to accomodate to the consumer.

 

[wvjules]

You think it's the responsibility of movie theatres to do that? From a business perspective, that doesn't make any sense.

VP: "Mr CEO, I think our company should make bigger seats for the people in our theatres."

CEO: "No, we should ignore 30% of our demographic! Better yet, let's have PSAs telling people not to get fat before the movie. We have 30 minutes of commercials now before the movie starts. What's about 5 minutes?"

VP: "What about all of the snacks we serve? Isn't that hypocritical?"

CEO: "From now on, our snack bars will only serve vegetables and bottled water!"

Are people forced to buy large Pepis, Rasinettes and Popcorns? Nope. I think catering to the increasingly obese population is going to make the problem worse. "Hey, I can fit in the seat now so lets not bother dieting or exercising. Can you pass me the popcorn?"

 

[FireDancer]

I thought the same thing when Disneyland had to redesign their version of IASW because the boats were constantly bottoming out because the average weight of guests has gone up so much.

It is just a business decision for the companies who make them and it isn't their responsibility to correct our habits but it is still a sad commentary that the decision has to not only be considered but implemented.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Are people forced to buy large Pepis, Rasinettes and Popcorns? Nope. I think catering to the increasingly obese population is going to make the problem worse. "Hey, I can fit in the seat now so lets not bother dieting or exercising. Can you pass me the popcorn?"

I agree that the food service industry should consider taking some responsibility for the serving sizes the provide. However, as a formerly obese individual, I can say that I never once said "I'll keep gaining weight as long as I can fit in a theatre seat".

 

[pigletgirl]

Are people forced to buy large Pepis, Rasinettes and Popcorns? Nope. I think catering to the increasingly obese population is going to make the problem worse. "Hey, I can fit in the seat now so lets not bother dieting or exercising. Can you pass me the popcorn?"

No, but to make business companies have to do what is necessary. Is it healthy?? NO WAY! It's a shame.

ETA: not all people who are obese would think like that.

 

[wvjules]

I agree that the food service industry should consider taking some responsibility for the serving sizes the provide. However, as a formerly obese individual, I can say that I never once said "I'll keep gaining weight as long as I can fit in a theatre seat".

And I doubt there are many that do think that way but if we keep making things larger then where is the incentive to get back to being smaller? (The populaiton in general.)

 

[NY Disney fan]

I have gone to many broadway shows in NYC and some of those theater seats are small for me and I am 5'3" 110lbs!!!! I really don't know how larger people can sit comfortably in any of them. So many times I have had people practically on top of me! I just always chalked it up to the whole "NYC theater experience".

NYC Broadway show theatre seats are the WORST! They built those seats for people who lived in the 1800's or something. If you are over 5'2 or 5'3 you are screwed. No leg room and the overweight need not apply. I hate going to Broadway shows for this very reason. And then they want to charge $200 per ticket.

 

[boyob13]

Even if they didn't expand seats and tried to encourage people to eat healthy, wouldn't you think someone would've made a recommendation to lose weight already and they ignored it? It seems that even if we tell people, they still don't care. I find it more as something psychological than voluntary.

Anyway, I'm glad they've added more leg room. I'm about 5'9 and I hate sitting with cramped legs.

Edit: Not directed at those whose have problems keeping them from losing weight.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Are people forced to buy large Pepis, Rasinettes and Popcorns? Nope. I think catering to the increasingly obese population is going to make the problem worse. "Hey, I can fit in the seat now so lets not bother dieting or exercising. Can you pass me the popcorn?"

I'm overweight and let me assure you, fitting more comfortably in a theater seat has nothing to do with my motivation to lose weight. I'm one of those unfortunate people with hypothyroidism and a horrible metabolism on top of it (as documented in the hospital when I had to have a nuclear test to do with digestion). So, it's very difficult for me to lose weight. I can, if I work hard at it, but besides it being physically more difficult, it's also emotionally more difficult when those around me are doing less and losing more.

And, yes, they should offer healthier concessions.

 

[Liberty Belle]

And I doubt there are many that do think that way but if we keep making things larger then where is the incentive to get back to being smaller? (The populaiton in general.)

There is plenty of incentive. That's not the problem. People who are fat know they are fat and most of them hate it for many reasons. Then there's the huge issue of health.

 

[eliza61]

Are people forced to buy large Pepis, Rasinettes and Popcorns? Nope. I think catering to the increasingly obese population is going to make the problem worse. "Hey, I can fit in the seat now so lets not bother dieting or exercising. Can you pass me the popcorn?"

Are you kidding WV, of course that's our attitude. Pretty much every one can agree we have thrown personal responsibilty out the window.
Every solution from theater seats to the problems of our country, we want a quick fix, magic bullet solution.
FDA just approve 2 new diet pills. why because it's easy and americans will gobble it up and plunk down tons of money to get it.

No we are not going to exercise or eat right. It took an economic crisis of major proportions for people to get a clue and not live beyond their means and personally I think once the economy turns around we'll be back to our credit card charging ways.

So, yep I'm pretty cynical as a rule I think we (general American public) will always, always take the easy route out, even to the point where it's unhealthy.

Can we say "Wall-E"?

 

[Northstar]

Now if only the airlines would take notice and stop reducing the size of the seat/leg room per passenger....