Los Angeles, CA—Oct 28, 2005
Universal Pictures Agrees to Provide Digital Feature Films to Exhibitors, Joining Christie/AIX's 4,000-Screen Digital Cinema Rollout
Universal Pictures today announced it will
make its future feature films available to the DCI-compliant digital projection
systems deployed by Christie/AIX, the subsidiary of Access Integrated
Technologies, Inc. (AccessIT) (AMEX: AIX) which is launching a nation-wide
rollout of 4,000 systems.
Under a non-exclusive arrangement, Universal Pictures will provide exhibitors
with a steadily increasing number of feature films in digital format. Universal
has also agreed to pay virtual print fees to Christie/AIX for each movie
projected on deployed systems offsetting exhibition's cost to transition to
digital. The studio added that films produced by its Focus Features and Rogue
Pictures units also may be made available in digital format in the future under
similar terms.
"This is a big step forward in the transition to Digital Cinema," said Nikki
Rocco, Universal's President of Distribution. "Universal is pleased to be making
its first digital distribution deal. We look forward to working with exhibitors,
Christie and AccessIT to provide the superior experience for moviegoers that
this new technology offers."
Bud Mayo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AccessIT, commented: "Gaining
Universal's support for our Christie/AIX effort is another significant
development in the evolution of digital cinema. Universal has long been a leader
in filmed entertainment, providing audiences around the world with a truly
diverse range of content. We are pleased to be working together to bring the
excitement and potential of digital cinema to exhibitors and audiences
nationwide."
Christie/AIX acts as the financing intermediary between content-owners --
including major studios and independent distributors -- and exhibitors,
utilizing the DCI-compliant digital cinema systems comprised of Christie DLP
Cinema(r) projectors, JPEG 2000 servers and related hardware and software
including AccessIT's unique Theatre Command Center. The Universal agreement
comes on the heels of similar commitments from The Walt Disney Company's Buena
Vista Pictures Distribution arm and from Twentieth Century Fox. Christie/AIX
expects to install the first 150 systems in multiple exhibitor locations by
December 31, 2005.
Jack Kline, President and COO, Christie, noted: "Universal is a global
powerhouse in film creation and distribution. Its commitment to delivering films
digitally means an even wider choice of digital films for exhibitors to screen
and for audiences to view. With Universal Pictures' commitment to this rollout,
digital cinema is poised to meet the promise of delivering the highest quality
visual experience for moviegoers, something this industry has always strived to
deliver."
Chuck Goldwater, President and Chief Operating Officer of Christie/AIX, added:
"Universal is the latest to lend its support for our unique business plan that
will jump-start the adoption of digital cinema. The studio's participation in
our rollout effort adds to the considerable momentum now building for digital
cinema from both distributors and exhibitors."
