NFL shuts down Packers games on the big screen at De Pere Cinema, owners say

Kendra Meinert | Green Bay Press-Gazette

DE PERE - The big screen at De Pere Cinema has gone dark for Green Bay Packers games.

The second-run movie theater will no longer be allowed to show Packers game broadcasts after receiving notice from the NFL’s legal counsel that the showings are in violation of copyright laws. Owners Mike and Vicki Radue shared the news Tuesday on the theater’s Facebook page:

“We are sorry to announce that we will no longer be able to show the Packer games. We have received notice from the NFL that under their copyright laws we do not qualify to show their games even though we do not charge admission. We are saddened by this policy of the NFL as families enjoyed bringing their children and our regular patrons appreciated the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

The couple have owned the theater at 417 George St. since 2001 and shown Packers games for nearly 20 years, Mike Radue said. The Radues own two other indoor theaters under Get Reel Inc.: Lakeshore Cinema in Manitowoc and Chilton Cinema in Chilton. The announcement of no more Packers game showings was also posted on the Lakeshore Cinema Facebook page.

The news sparked a flurry of comments from De Pere Cinema patrons, many expressing their frustration with the NFL going after a small local theater.

“There’s a lot of very disappointed people, obviously," Radue said. "It’s not about generating revenue. To be honest, it was more of a community event. I’m sure if I would’ve played movies in those time slots I’d make more money. It’s not a big, huge part of our business at all, but there’s a lot of people that came every Sunday and are pretty disappointed."

The Radues have sent a letter to the NFL asking for further explanation of the criteria in the league's initial correspondence. To qualify to show games, Radue said the NFL letter stated the establishment not charge admission; show games on a screen no larger than is normally seen in a home; and show sporting events on a regular basis.

Radue is looking for more specifics on screen size and what constitutes regular showings of sporting events. De Pere Cinema already shows the games for free and pays a commercial cable rate to do so, he said.

“We’re not looking for an exception for us. I think in fairness, if you’re paying the commercial cable rate, any business, and the NFL obviously gets a lot of revenue from television, then they’re being paid for us and any business," Radue said.

Brian McCarthy, vice president of communications for the NFL, provided this statement to the Press-Gazette: "This is a longstanding NFL policy that prohibits the mass out-of-home viewing of NFL games at commercial establishments beyond bars and restaurants. The policy protects the free over-the-air telecast in the local market and the league’s copyright. Establishments such as bars and restaurants are exempt as they are engaged in the business of showing regular and daily sports programming."

De Pere Cinema traditionally draws its regular movie patrons for the Packers games. Many are families who like the extra space for kids to move around and fans who appreciate a viewing experience of feeling like they're at the game. The purchase of a new digital projection system in 2014, funded in part by a Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $45,000, offers what Radue calls a "super high-def" experience.

In addition to movies shown for $3-$4 a ticket ($2 on Tuesdays), De Pere Cinema has also hosted local film premieres and offered programming in connection with local schools and libraries.

“So some of the things you do just to give back to a community that’s been so very good to us," Radue said. "That’s kind of how we thought about the Packer games. The Packers, they are Green Bay, and people like different alternatives to watching the game.

"This beautiful projector that projects this beautiful Packer game, the community has been a part in that being there and now they’re saying, 'Well, no, I’m sorry you can’t come and watch the game there,'" he said. "That’s part of it that irritates me. It’s going to take more than just a letter ... Obviously, we’re not going to play (the games) and get in trouble, but we’re going to keep pushing for a little better answer.”

Contact Kendra Meinert at 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KendraMeinert.