MUMBAI: US film studios Fox, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment have entered into separate non-exclusive digital cinema deployment agreements with Sony Electronics‘ Digital Cinema Solutions and Services (DCSS) group.
The agreements relate to supplying exhibitors with feature motion pictures in digital form in order to promote the use of digital cinema projection systems.
The new agreements will provide certain operational and financial resources to encourage exhibitors to implement digital cinema systems that will feature Sony‘s DCI-compliant 4K SXRD(TM) projection technology.
The separate agreements vary among the companies and extend to digital cinema efforts in certain countries in the US, Europe and Asia.
The Sony DCSS group was formed to provide turn-key solutions for exhibitors that will enable them to efficiently convert their operations to digital technology.
In addition to digital projection system deployment, Sony‘s DCSS group will be in a position to offer critical services for exhibitors such as installation and maintenance, along with customised solutions and high-level service support — which can all be provided by a turn-key Sony DCSS solution.
In a joint statement, Fox president of domestic distribution Bruce Snyder and Fox International , co-presidents Paul Hanneman and Tomas Jegeus said, “Fox is committed to supporting the highest-quality solutions for exhibitors as they make their transition to digital cinema on a global basis. It is important that exhibitors worldwide have the widest choice of solutions available to them. By working with Sony and its range of available technology, experience and stability, our goal is to continue to make the transition to DCI-compliant digital projection systems as smooth as possible. We‘re proud to be working with Sony DCSS to further advance digital cinema on a global level.”
Paramount Pictures president of domestic theatrical distribution Jim Tharp says, “Paramount is committed to maximising new, creative opportunities to encourage the conversion to digital projection and to broadening the availability of high quality 3D cinema. Our collaboration with Sony‘s DCSS team is a great step toward that end. We look forward to continued cooperation in the future.”
Sony‘s 4K projection technology will also contribute to the deployment of alternative content — including gaming, sporting events and music concerts — in order to develop more revenue-generating opportunities for exhibitors as the industry transitions to digital delivery.
Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman, worldwide marketing and distribution Jeff Blake says, “As digital cinema programming becomes more prevalent in the marketplace, consumers will experience entertainment in bold and exciting new ways with superior state-of-the-art sound and picture quality, as well as the deployment of alternative forms of content.”
Sony Pictures recently launched The Hot Ticket, dedicated to exploring and creating alternative programming for digital presentation in theatres.
“We couldn‘t be more supportive of our colleagues at Sony DCSS who are offering exhibitors a compelling digital cinema experience. These agreements continue to push the evolution of our industry to 4K, from acquisition through to exhibition” adds Blake.
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