Cinema Audiences

Reuters is covering a Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) report that box office receipts around the world rose 5% to a record $28.1 billion in 2008, inspite of the economic turndown.



The United States and Canada markets reached $9.8 billion in 2008, a 1.7% increase over 2007, and a figure that accounts for 35% of the worldwide total. International box office sales hit a record $18.3 billion, up 7% over the previous year, and accounted for 65% of the global total. (so much for "runaway production.....")

The number of films released in 2008 increased slightly from the previous year to 610 compared to 599 in 2007.