Here’s why MoviePass is down

MoviePass announced this week that it is temporarily suspending service while the company works to improve its mobile app.

In a statement Wednesday, the subscription-based movie ticketing service said it would stop enrolling new members beginning July 4 and credit its current users for the downtime once the new app is released.

“For the past several months, MoviePass has been working hard to improve our groundbreaking subscription service to ensure it meets the vision that we have for it,” a notice on the company’s website states. “We are temporarily not accepting new subscribers as we work on these improvements.”

MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe admitted that the timing of the hiatus was difficult but argued that it is necessary for the company to move forward.

“There’s never a good time to have to do this,” said Lowe. “But to complete the improved version of our app, one that we believe will provide a much better experience for our subscribers, it has to be done.”

Lowe also added that the decision was made in part due to frustration from users over the MoviePass app.

“To provide the level of service you deserve and we can be proud of, we need to improve our mobile app,” the CEO said. “We plan to make this improvement by utilizing an enhanced technology platform, which is in the final stages of completion.”

While the company did not provide a timeline for when its work would be completed, the MoviePass Twitter account stated that the process will likely take several weeks.

Due to maintenance related issues, MoviePass services have been put on a temporary hold. Once we have resolved these technical problems, the service will be live again. We estimate this process will take several weeks. We sincerely appreciate your patience.

— MoviePass (@MoviePass) July 3, 2019

The announcement comes just days after reports surfaced alleging Regal Cinemas is preparing to launch an unlimited ticket subscription program that would undoubtedly put MoviePass in the crosshairs.

Meanwhile, AMC Theaters’ own subscription program recently surpassed 785,000 members earlier this year.

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H/T TechCrunch