The simulcasts allow more people to experience the Met's performance offerings. The Met is also sponsoring free HD broadcasts into selected New York City public schools. Exhibiting the Met's performances in digital movie theaters is in line with other audience-expanding efforts by the Met such as radio broadcasts on Sirius Radio, iPod downloads, live streaming video on the Met website, and free opening night screenings in Times Square and at Lincoln Center. The original idea for presenting operas in this way came from the new incoming general manager of the Met, Peter Gelb in late 2006. Its aims include building a larger audience for the Met and garnering excitement for arts at a local level.

The series is broadcast to AMC Theatres, Cinemark, Cineplex Entertainment, Regal Entertainment Group (Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards), Goodrich, Kerasotes, Marcus and National Amusements movie theaters as well as a series of independent venues such as arts centers and college campuses. To transmit the series via satellite simulcast in the US and Canada, the Met has partnered with Fathom Events.

Ny met opera schedule 2012