London—Oct 2, 2006
City Screen brings Amnesty International’s Secret Policeman’s Ball to a Picture House cinema near you LIVE via landmark use of digital satellite technology!
The UK’s leading independent cinema chain, CITY SCREEN, is set to cross an industry milestone with the installation of a live High Definition satellite network across its entire UK circuit, making it the first cinema chain in Europe to drive alternative programming through the installation of a private satellite network at each of its locations.
Their first broadcast, scheduled for Saturday October 14th, will be Amnesty International’s newly-revived Secret Policeman’s Ball, to be beamed via satellite live from London’s famed Royal Albert hall, uncensored, exclusively and at primetime across City Screen’s Picturehouse network of Cinemas.
This unique broadcast, being shown a week ahead of its terrestrial TV airing, aims to demonstrate the potential of new digital technology in cinemas to diversify programming and attract new audiences. City Screen is already a major beneficiary of the UK Film Council’s Digital Screen Network and intends to maximise the alternative programming potential offered by the digital equipment.
Head of Digital Development at City Screen, Marc John, said: “This year we have already seen our audiences embracing new concepts on the big screen such as World Cup football, theatre musicals and interactive meditation, thanks to digital technology, and with this fantastic live comedy show we’re taking another leap of faith into the digital future, where literally anything is now possible!”
Whilst embracing the recently published DCI standards for the digital screening of mainstream feature films, City Screen is able with its satellite network to show wider ambition in its migration to the digital age.
marc.j@picturehouses.co.uk
+44 (0) 207 734 4342