Internet ticketing hits Mumbai, too

Dreamworks Internet Technologies has developed a unique software for the entertainment industry -- computerized ticketing (ticketing on the Internet) which promises to redefine the entertainment industry.

Dreamworks plans to launch the concept in Mumbai City by mid June 2000. According to Paritosh Painter, director, Dreamworks, the Government has already formulated rules and regulations for computerised ticketing for cinema. Dreamworks is in the process of setting up Internet kiosks all over the city from where tickets of movies, plays, sporting events and concerts can be bought. The concept of selling tickets online emanates from the fact that most people find buying cinema tickets a harrowing experience mainly due to travelling huge distances and standing in the queues during booking timings.

With this concept Dreamworks wishes to eliminate the geographical barriers and make buying tickets a simple and pleasant experience 24 hours a day.

A user can log on to the website and access real time information on availability of seats. He can view the seating arrangement of the selected auditorium and will be able to pick & book the seats of his choice immediately and pay for the seats by cash, debit card or credit card.

Apart from ticket booking, a host of features will be available on the entertainment portal, which will include information on latest movies running, schedules of plays, trailors, reviews, ratings, downloads, opinion polls, etc. The website will also have information regarding locations of auditoriums, parking places, nearest railway stations, bus routes etc.

The company will offer free computers, printers, stationery, Internet connections and software to all the theatres, auditoria and stadia that plan to be a part of this system. A leading advertisement agency has been roped in to market and exploit the in-house hoarding and on-screen advertisement potential of the cinemas and auditoriums, the benefit of which will be passed on to the theatre owners.

Debit cards will be issued at all franchisees, cinema theatres and auditoriums, which will facilitate online bookings from home or office for the consumers. There will be regular prizes, contests, polls and freebies for debit cardholders.

The target is to cover 250 theatres in 12 cities by 2001 and hopes to garner at least 40% of the computerised ticket market share within a year.

The company plans to expand activities in the area of broadcasting movies on the net, event management and theatre over the next two years.