- Walt Disney Studios, Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, and
Universal Pictures Agree to Supply Content to Networked Digital Cinema
Systems
MORRISTOWN, N.J., March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Access Integrated
Technologies ("AccessIT") (Nasdaq: AIXD) today announced commitments from
four major motion picture studios, including The Walt Disney Studios'
Motion Pictures ("WDSMP"), Twentieth Century Fox ("Fox"), Paramount
Pictures ("Paramount"), and Universal Pictures ("Universal"), to provide
movies to up to 10,000 digital cinema systems in the United States and
Canada in conformance with the DCI specifications. These commitments signal
the official beginning of AccessIT's "Phase Two" Digital Cinema Program.
AccessIT intends to deploy up to 10,000 systems throughout the U.S. and
Canada over the next three years. The studios have agreed to pay virtual
print fees, for a limited time only, for movies projected on AccessIT
systems, further underscoring their commitment to advance the industry's
transition to digital cinema.
"We are thrilled that we have come to an agreement with AccessIT, the
global leader in Digital Cinema, to supply content to their 'Phase Two'
plan for deployment of networked digital cinema systems," said Chuck Viane,
distribution president, WDSMP. "AccessIT's digital cinema rollouts are
already allowing consumers to enjoy the highest quality cinema experience
available while providing clear benefits to our exhibitors. AccessIT's
technologies, management, and financing have aided exhibitors across the
U.S. to enter the digital cinema era. We couldn't be more pleased with the
top-of- the-line performance of networked digital cinema systems they have
deployed which have enabled our movies to be presented in the highest
digital viewing quality available."
Bruce Snyder, president of distribution at Twentieth Century Fox, said:
"We could not be more pleased. AccessIT's proven ability to bring digital
cinema systems to theatres is unmatched in the industry. We believe the
efficiency, image quality and, most importantly, the overall movie going
experience is greatly enhanced on more than 3,700 of the DCI-conforming
digital projection systems already installed by AccessIT throughout the
country, and we look forward to supporting our valued partner through this
expanded plan by delivering Fox movies to their systems."
Julian Levin, executive vice president Twentieth Century Fox, who
spearheaded Fox's participation in the DCI process and who is also the
senior Fox architect for this arrangement with AccessIT, added: "The great
success the industry is experiencing with the systems already installed by
AccessIT makes our continued commitment to the company and to digital
cinema a win-win. The benefits resulting from a digital platform include a
more efficient and flexible distribution and exhibition infrastructure, as
well as digital 3D exhibition capability. We look forward to continuing our
relationship with such a great partner."
"AccessIT's proven ability to professionally deploy and manage digital
cinema installations helps us provide moviegoers with the most visually
enhanced theatre experience possible," said Mark Christiansen, Paramount
Pictures' Executive Vice President, Distribution. "This agreement signals
yet another important step forward for the future of d-cinema and will also
have a major impact on the availability of 3D projection in the U.S. and
Canada. We will continue to support the transition to digital cinema by
providing our movies, whenever possible, to appropriately equipped
theatres."
"This is another major step forward in the transition to Digital
Cinema," said Nikki Rocco, Universal's president of distribution.
"Universal is pleased to continue working with AccessIT, helping to make
digital cinema a reality for more movie-goers across the country. The
success of the first AccessIT deployment makes us confident that their next
deployment will be equally beneficial for Universal, exhibitors and movie
fans."
Chuck Goldwater, president of AccessIT's Media Services Division,
added: "AccessIT Digital Cinema's success would not have been possible
without the early support of these studios. With their renewed support of
this next chapter of our digital cinema program, the industry has a clear
signal of the studios' continuing commitment to the digital future and all
the benefits of that technology, especially 3D and alternative content.
AccessIT is proud to be their trusted partner in making digital cinema
happen."
"We appreciate the importance of the signings being announced today as
a major step forward for AccessIT and the industry," commented Bud Mayo,
chairman and chief executive officer of AccessIT. "This visionary group of
major studio partners' endorsement of our Phase Two plan shows the industry
that they continue to be extremely forward-thinking in the digital cinema
space, and in supporting this venture in particular. We look forward to
support from additional studios and exhibitors and to creating more value
for the motion picture industry as well as our shareholders."
AccessIT Digital Cinema is the industry-leading deployment program for
Digital Cinema that provides the funding, operations and administration for
the company's studio-supported Digital Cinema rollout plans. Its Phase Two
plan for up to an additional 10,000 screens will provide networked,
turnkey, Digital Cinema systems in conformance with DCI specifications,
including AccessIT's unique Library Management Server(R) and Theatre
Command Center(R) software. The system will also include digital projectors
and JPEG 2000 media servers from a variety of vendors whose equipment is
designed to meet the DCI specifications as well as a demanding set of
performance and reliability requirements AccessIT developed through its
success with the Phase One plan. To date, AccessIT has contracted for and
completed the rollout of more than 3,700 systems in forty-one states with
exhibitors, including Atlas Theatres, Allen Theatres, Carmike Cinemas,
Celebration! Cinema, Cinema West, Cinetopia, Emagine, Galaxy Cinema,
Marquee Cinemas, MJR Theatres, Neighborhood Cinema Group, Rave Motion
Picture Theatres, Showplace Cinemas, UltraStar, and AccessIT's own Pavilion
Digital Showcase Theatre.
Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. (AccessIT) is the global leader in
providing integrated solutions for digital cinema. The Company's ground-
breaking digital cinema networked services along with its Library
Management Server(TM) and Theatre Command Center(TM) have enabled theatres
across the United States to play more than six million digital showings of
Hollywood features to date. AccessIT's comprehensive vendor neutral
solutions provide advertising, pre-show entertainment, feature movies and
alternative content, including live 2-D and 3-D events through its
CineLive(R) satellite network, expanding box office sales and developing
new ways to attract incremental revenues. Through its alternative content
distribution division, The Bigger Picture, AccessIT offers channels of
programming, including Opera, Kidtoons, Faith Based, Music, High Octane
Sports and Anime. Access Integrated Technologies(R) and AccessIT(TM) are
trademarks of Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. For more information on
AccessIT, visit http://www.accessitx.com. [AIXD-G]
Contact Details:
Heidi Trotta
The Walt Disney Studios
818.560.7280
heidi.trotta@disney.com
Twentieth Century Fox
Chris Petrikin
310-369-4781
chris.petrikin@fox.com
Shaleek Wilson
Paramount Pictures
323.956.4635
Shaleek_wilson@paramount.com
Stacy Ivers
Universal Pictures
818.777.7216
Stacy.ivers@nbcuni.com
Suzanne Moore
Access Integrated Technologies, Inc.
973.290.0056
smoore@accessitx.com
SOURCE Access Integrated Technologies, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.accessitx.com
CONTACT:
Heidi Trotta, The Walt Disney Studios,
+1-818-560-7280, heidi.trotta@disney.com; Chris Petrikin,
Twentieth Century Fox, +1-310-369- 4781, chris.petrikin@fox.com;
Shaleek Wilson, Paramount Pictures, +1-323-956- 4635,
Shaleek_wilson@paramount.com' Stacy Ivers, Universal Pictures,
+1-818- 777-7216, Stacy.ivers@nbcuni.com; Suzanne Moore, Access
Integrated Technologies, Inc., +1-973-290-0056,
smoore@accessitx.com
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