ODEON and UCI Cinemas, Europe’s largest cinema operator, has announced plans to extend its network of DCI-compliant Digital Cinema screens to 111 key cinema locations, out of a total of 200. This next phase of the ODEON UCI Cinema Group’s groundbreaking digital rollout will commence before Christmas and continue into early 2009 in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany & Austria.
As part of the strategy, ODEON & UCI will triple its coverage of 3D digital screens in response to the wealth of 3D blockbusters due for wide release in 2009 and will support further deployment of DCI-compliant 2k digital projectors, servers and 3D-capable screens as part of ODEON & UCI’s broader digital rollout for 2009 and beyond. At present 15 films are due for release in the format during 2009, including Bolt, Monsters vs. Aliens, Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Up, G-Force, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, and Avatar.
Industry leader REAL D will continue to partner with ODEON & UCI to provide the 3D technology in the upgraded screens.
With the new developments, ODEON & UCI is building upon the digital foundation laid in 2006 and 2007 when it launched Europe’s first “digiplexes” as beta test sites at ODEON Hatfield and ODEON Surrey Quays.
The latest expansion will put the benefits of DCI-compliant Digital Cinema within easy reach of ODEON UCI customers from Belfast to Berlin, and from Verona to Vienna. As a result, there will be a digital screen with 3D capacity within a half-hour’s drive of over 70% of ODEON & UCI’s local population base. ODEON recently announced the arrival of Europe’s first IMAX Digital screens at Greenwich and Wimbledon, London, UK. In addition, the company has over 50 other (non-DCI compliant) digital screens offering non-film programming such as sport and music events, as well as digital advertising and conferencing opportunities.
Drew Kaza, Executive Vice President of Digital Development for ODEON and UCI Cinemas, said, “ODEON and UCI is dedicated to installing the latest technology across our cinemas, thereby ensuring our film fanatics are able to enjoy tomorrow’s blockbusters in the highest quality possible This is the next important step as we accelerate our moves into digital in 2009. We have more 100-percent ‘digiplexes’ on the way and we are delighted to have several of the major studios supporting us on this.”
Andrew Cripps, President for Paramount Pictures International said, “We especially welcome ODEON’s embrace of digital technology as we seek to make Monsters vs. Aliens 3D and all of our other future digital releases available to the widest possible audience in Europe.”
Anthony Marcoly, president, Sales and Distribution, for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, said, “With six major Disney Digital 3D releases set for 2009 alone and seventeen Disney Digital 3D films announced in total over the next several years, we applaud ODEON/UCI for taking a leadership position in Europe to make digital and 3D more widely available than ever before. We look forward to showing our 3D films on ODEON & UCI screens.”
Julian Levin, Executive Vice President for Digital at Twentieth Century Fox, said, “This is another huge step in the global growth of digital cinema and is fundamental to our strategy for expanding development of DCI compliant digital projection systems with 3D capability. With Fox’s upcoming 3D projects including Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and James Cameron’s Avatar, we look forward to making these and our other digital releases available and providing an enhanced experience to movie goers across the world. We are thrilled by ODEON UCI’s commitment to digital and look forward to growing the business with them in the years ahead.” |
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