US movie-ticket sales are down 11% this year, and struggling theater owners say they have a pretty good idea why: Films are getting pulled from cinemas faster than ever so Hollywood studios can sell them for home viewing.

Cinema United trade group Chief Executive Michael O'Leary called on studios to extend most films to a 45-day theatrical window before home video and streaming, arguing that a baseline is needed to give moviegoers clearer expectations.

New films must be exclusive to movie theaters for at least 45 days before they become available on streaming, the head of the industry's US trade organization said Tuesday.