D-cinema in -roads in Central Europe and Benelux

Article Supplied by Screen Digest - SAWA Newsletter August 2009

European digital cinema company XDC has signed a Virtual Print Fee (VPF) deal with Palace Cinemas, a leading multiplex operator in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Palace controls 20 sites and 177 screens across the three countries, of which 170 come within the deal. Palace was an early pioneer of digital cinema in the Czech Republic, first experimenting with the technology in 2002. Earlier this year, Palace installed 12 3D systems in its sites. Deployment for the 2D roll-out will begin later this year and will include a significant proportion of  new 3D screens.

Also in Central Europe, XDC has signed a letter of intent withPolish multiplex operator Multikino for a VPF-led deployment of 174screens (out of a total 186 screens), to be finalised later this summer. Deployment is targeted to begin in autumn of 2009 with a commitment to deploy 100 by end 2010. In Western Europe, XDC has brought on board its first exhibitor to a VPF deal in its home territory of Belgium, with local exhibitor Euroscoop signing up its 61 screens (55 in Belgium and six in Netherlands) in six sites. Euroscoop has chosen Barco 2K projectors with XDC's Cinestore servers. Deployment begins in September 2009.

XDC is taking a lead in VPF screens signed up in this round, with a running total of approximately 800 VPF screens (including the Multikino deal), in addition to 400 screens signed on a leasing basis, XDC's first model that is still in use and attracting exhibitors, especially in Germany. The first two VPF deals are especially significant as they are the first to be signed in Central Europe. In its markets, Palace Cinemas controls a screen advertiser and a distributor, both of which are well placed to benefit from the conversion