California Insider

Bill Lockyer has approved a merger of two movie theater chains, Loews and AMC, with conditions. Is it just me or does applying anti-trust law to the theater business seem like an anachronism? Hollywood revenues are way down, people are watching films on DVDs on big screens with great sound in their living rooms. In a few years we will be routinely downloading them onto our computers and handheld devices. Once that happens, people will be making their own independent films and distributing them without the need for the middlemen. Is the merger of two theater chains really a legitimate state interest in this day and age? Was it ever?