Los Angeles, CA—Nov 22, 2005
New Sony Pictures Agreement with Christie/AIX Supports Digital Cinema Transition
- Sony Pictures’ Commitment Will Further Speed Exhibitor Adoption of Digital Cinema -
Moving aggressively to accelerate the
transition to digital cinema, Christie/AIX, a unit of Access Integrated
Technologies (“AccessIT”), (AMEX:AIX) today announced an agreement with Sony
Pictures Entertainment whereby Sony Pictures will supply its upcoming films in
DCI-compliant format to the 4,000 digital projection systems Christie/AIX
intends to install in movie theaters in the U.S. and Canada over the next two
years.
“We look forward to supporting Christie/AIX’s Digital Cinema rollout, which
combines innovative technologies with a true understanding of the specific
business needs of each distributor and exhibitor," said Jeff Blake, Vice
Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Chairman of Worldwide Marketing and
Distribution for Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group. "Digital Cinema will
enable us to better deliver our creative content to audiences immersing them in
a visually compelling form for a unique entertainment experience.”
Jack Kline, President and COO, Christie, noted: “Sony Pictures has consistently
delivered exciting, first class entertainment to audiences around the world.
Their commitment is a great endorsement of the strength and viability of the
Christie/AIX rollout strategy. Our proven plan is helping Hollywood and the
exhibition communities make the transition to Digital Cinema seamless, while
bringing renewed excitement to the movie going experience.”
Commenting on the agreement, Bud Mayo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
AccessIT, said: “We are pleased that Sony Pictures has joined our rapidly
growing list of studio partners. Christie/AIX is the first to implement a
Digital Cinema rollout as we proceed with the first 150 screens of our planned
installations. The signings of additional studios means more content for the
increasing number of exhibitors who have indicated they wish to participate in
our plan as well as increased cash flows for Christie/AIX.”
The Agreement with Sony Pictures is in addition to recent agreements signed with
Disney, Twentieth Century Fox and Universal, which has prompted Christie/AIX to
begin the initial deployment of Digital Cinema systems in theatres in Detroit,
Michigan owned by Emagine Entertainment, Inc. and at multiple locations in San
Diego and Riverside County (CA) multiplexes owned by Ultrastar Theaters, Inc. A
total of 150 Digital Cinema systems are expected to be operational at these
circuits by December 31, 2005.
Chuck Goldwater, President and Chief Operating Officer of Christie/AIX, added:
”Sony has long been a pioneer in digital entertainment both technologically and
in distribution. With its support, exhibitors will now gain access to a major
new source of content for use on the growing number of digitally equipped
screens. Based upon our late-stage negotiations and discussions with additional
studios, a growing number of independent distributors plus both large and small
exhibitors, we believe that Digital Cinema has the potential to reach all the
screens in the U.S. and Canada within a decade.”
