A huge rise is expected in the number of cinemas across Qatar by early 2018, with the country scheduled to see no fewer than 200 screens across nearly 23 locations.
Gulf Times has learnt from industry sources that at least 131 new screens will be completed in the upcoming malls in and around Doha.
Apart from northern Doha, such destinations as Abu Hamour, West Bay,  Al Waab, Lusail, Gharaffa,  Dayaan, Al Thumama and Mirqab will host the new malls housing the cinemas.
“One of the new urban developments in Rayyan is expected to have at least 20 screens,” an industry professional from the region said, while asserting that the entertainment industry has a good place in Qatar.
“But, I am not sure if the current levels of patronage are adequate to sustain the expected number of new cinemas in the business,” he stated.
On Thursdays and Fridays, a number of the existing screens at the multiplexes, including those at the Villaggio Mall and City Center Doha, have good patronage, it is understood.
“There will be sold-out shows at the cinemas in the event of some highly-anticipated releases, for example from Hollywood and Bollywood, especially during Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” another expert maintained.
“However, majority of the cinemas have lean attendance during the other days, which is a common scenario in many parts of the world,” he said.
According to industry professionals, there is future for budget cinemas in the country as more than 75% of the country’s population is in the workers category, as per the studies released recently by a university at the Qatar Foundation’s Education City. They cite the enormously good patronage to the cinema halls at the Asian Town cinema to stress their point. The venue is  recording good attendance even on week days.
At the current rate of growth of the screens, Qatar may perhaps have the highest density of cinema screens in less than two years, it is being felt in the industry.
One industry professional expressed doubt whether the country has an oversupply of cinemas, given that some of them are generating poor revenues for their operators.
“However, the interesting factor is that even this scenario is not stopping entrepreneurs from building screens in the malls under construction, and I guess they are aiming at long term returns,” he said.
There are also reports that owing to the presence of too many multiplexes in the market, an operator has abandoned his development plans for building a multi screen facility and is now exploring the possibility of building an “affordable” cinema hall to cater to the “ordinary residents” who, the company feels, have only limited options to watch films.