The Space Cinema Signs Deal with Arts Alliance Media for Italy's Largest Digital Cinema and Satellite Rollout Italy's leading cinema chain The Space

http://www.digitalcinemainfo.com/artsalliancemedia_11_03_09.php

November 3, 2009

Source: Arts Alliance Media

Cinema and Arts Alliance Media (AAM) - Europe’s leading provider of digital cinema technology, content and deployment - announced that they have signed an exclusive VPF-based agreement to supply and integrate digital cinema projection systems across The Space’s 24 sites in Italy.

In addition, AAM will be providing satellite systems on a non exclusive basis for each of the 24 cinemas, in collaboration with its partner Arqiva Satellite & Media.
The first deployed digital screens will be operational before Christmas, in time for the holiday releases, so as to have at least one screen installed in each cinema of the circuit - with a roll out of an additional 50 screens within
the first quarter 2010.

The Space Cinema will be installing 3D systems in all its digital screens, in order to play highly anticipated upcoming 3D movies, such as James Cameron’s “Avatar” from Twentieth Century Fox, opening in Italy in January.

The satellite systems will allow The Space Cinema to show live alternative content events such as concerts and sports, as well as receive feature and trailer content electronically via satellite instead of on hard drives physically distributed to cinemas.

In addition to digital cinema projectors and servers, AAM will also be supplying The Space Cinema with its recently launched Digital Cinema Network Software package, including AAM’s Theatre Management System (TMS), allowing The Space Cinema comprehensive control and reporting of equipment and content across the entire circuit.

Giuseppe Corrado, CEO of The Space Cinema commented “We’re excited by the opportunities this agreement with AAM is creating for our circuit and for the whole industry in Italy. We see a wealth of new content and new entertainment opportunities for our customer coming with digitalisation.”

Giovanni Canepa, COO of The Space Cinema, said “We’re extremely pleased to take such a relevant step partnering with AAM, Europe’s leading digital cinema technology provider. This partnership will allow us to deploy this new technology maintaining a financially balanced approach, while giving additional comfort to the whole industry in Italy that the digital era is finally on its way.”

Giovanni Dolci, AAM’s Strategy and Business Development Executive and lead negotiator on the agreement added “It is an honour to have been chosen by The Space Cinema to bring digital to their innovative cinema chain. The groundbreaking decision to create this new company and futureproof it with digital, satellite and 3D capability is a strong indicator of the vitality of Italy’s exhibition sector. This deal offers the whole Italian market new opportunities to convert to digital cinema.”

Howard Kiedaisch, CEO of AAM, said “We are delighted to announce this significant deal with The Space Cinema, an exciting new circuit and our first Italian exhibitor partner. Any interested Italian exhibitor will now be able to start a relationship with us, knowing that agreements with five Hollywood majors are already in full effect in Italy. With this agreement, AAM will have a footprint in 6 countries across Europe – UK, France, Norway, Spain, The Netherlands and Italy.”