Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesSports & Entertainment

Direct View: Drive-In Theaters Have Gone From Nostalgia To Necessity

In recent years, going to a drive-in movie has been a quaint, fun night out for many Americans. The coronavirus pandemic and the need for social distancing has turned drive-in events from nostalgia to a necessity. Many organizations have brought the drive-in back into vogue, hosting movie night or concerts that allow families to…

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Sports & Entertainment teams put it to work with Events & Onsite Capture.

Share

In recent years, going to a drive-in movie has been a quaint, fun night out for many Americans. The coronavirus pandemic and the need for social distancing has turned drive-in events from nostalgia to a necessity.

Many organizations have brought the drive-in back into vogue, hosting movie night or concerts that allow families to get out of the house and do something together without the risks that now come with a cinema or sports stadium.

Miles Dean, Business Development Manager, Sports & Entertainment of Unilumin USA, said it’s an innovative solution to the challenges currently facing the entertainment industry.

“How are we going to engage with people from an interactive perspective and still keep them safe? This is one way to engage with your people if you have a large parking lot or a large area and still want to keep people safe, a lot of times it’s a bar and they post this nice, large screen, they bring in food trucks, so they’re supporting other local businesses in the area,” Dean said.

Luckily, we’re not still relying on the same technology the past generations were to see their newsreels and films. With LED screens, entertainment companies can think of putting on events during the day, Dean said, and know the audience will still be able to see the programming and messages being displayed.

“Most of these applications are outdoors, so you’re definitely going to want something that’s IP65 rated which can stand sun rays, dust, weather elements that just happen to go along with something like this,” he said. “You definitely want something that’s going to be bright, that can really pop so you can put it up during the day time.

“A lot of these older drive-in theaters are still using projection so they have to have low lighting or the sun has to set so they can put on the movie and have everybody see it. With the LED you don’t have that time restriction. You can have that sucker pop nice, vibrant and have great colors and everything else midday.”

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale

Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Sports & Entertainment: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Sports & Entertainment buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

This article was produced through MarketScale. Create a free workspace and turn your own team's expertise into articles, video, and social posts. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Sports & Entertainment Insights

Building Stadium Experiences for Everyone

Building Stadium Experiences for Everyone

At InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas, Josh Barney, CEO of SEAT, discussed the evolving nature of stadium experiences. He emphasized the shift from sports-centric design to creating multi-purpose venues. This transformation aims to enhance audience engagement and cater to diverse entertainment demands.

  • 01Stadiums are evolving from sports-centric designs to multi-purpose venues.
  • 02Audience engagement is a key focus in modern stadium development.
  • 03The shift is influenced by a need to cater to diverse entertainment preferences.

Jun 26, 2026

USA’s perfect World Cup start and the business case behind the hype

USA’s perfect World Cup start and the business case behind the hype

The US Men's National Team achieved a perfect start by winning its first two matches in the 2026 World Cup as one of its co-hosts. This success has significant implications for sponsorship opportunities, hospitality sectors, and B2B demand in the sports-entertainment industry.

  • 01USMNT's perfect start in the 2026 World Cup.
  • 02Positive impact on sponsorship opportunities.
  • 03Increased B2B demand in sports-entertainment.

Jun 19, 2026

As World Cup arrives in the US, creator-access clauses reshape broadcast rights deals

As World Cup arrives in the US, creator-access clauses reshape broadcast rights deals

FIFA's broadcast strategy for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico represents the most structurally complex rights package in the tournament's history. Deals now span over 220 territories, include a live-streaming partnership with YouTube, and formally embed creator access into rights frameworks for the first time. Meanwhile, Fox Sports' legacy deal — secured in 2015 for $485 million — has become what Observer describes as the broadcast bargain of the century, setting up dramatically higher price expectations in the next rights cycle.

  • 01FIFA secured broadcast agreements in over 220 territories, with a Dallas-based International Broadcast Centre distributing roughly 8,000 hours of additional non-live content, according to FIFA.
  • 02Fox Sports pays $485 million for US rights to a tournament Observer estimates is worth more than three times that figure — making it likely the last major sports broadcast deal secured at a deep discount.
  • 03FIFA's first-ever global creator programme and a preferred-platform deal with YouTube — allowing broadcasters to stream the first 10 minutes of every match plus select full games — mark a structural shift in how rights are packaged.

Jun 17, 2026

Explore More Sports & Entertainment Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Sports & Entertainment.

Browse Sports & Entertainment Hub

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Sports & Entertainment and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512