LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Twentieth Century 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 North America, 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 customized solutions and
high-level service support -- which can all be provided by a turn-key Sony
DCSS solution.
In a joint statement, Bruce Snyder, president of domestic distribution
of Twentieth Century Fox and Paul Hanneman and Tomas Jegeus, co-presidents
of Twentieth Century Fox International 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."
Jim Tharp, Paramount Pictures president of domestic theatrical
distribution added: "Paramount is committed to maximizing 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.
According to Jeff Blake, chairman, worldwide marketing and distribution
for Sony Pictures Entertainment, "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 theaters.
"We couldn't be more supportive of our colleagues at Sony DCSS who are
offering exhibitors a compelling digital cinema experience," Blake said.
"These agreements continue to push the evolution of our industry to 4K,
from acquisition through to exhibition."
"We're excited to be working with Fox, Paramount and Sony Pictures to
further facilitate the motion picture industry's global digital
transition," said Mike Fidler, senior vice president of Sony's Digital
Cinema Solutions and Services group. "These studios understand the value of
4K technology along with providing an integrated range of services to
exhibitors -- from equipment installation, maintenance and alternative
programming to security, digital signage and advertising. A successful
digital cinema business model requires a one-stop shopping approach that
only Sony can provide, allowing exhibitors to maximize the benefits of the
digital transition and to deliver an experience to the consumer that is
beyond HD."
About Twentieth Century Fox
One of the world's largest producers and distributors of motion
pictures, Fox Filmed Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes
motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or
acquired by the following units of FFE: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000,
Fox Searchlight Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Animation and Fox Atomic.
About Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor
of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading
content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital
entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures,
Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and
DreamWorks Studios. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital
Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment,
Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount
Studio Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution.
About Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation
of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's
global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution;
television production and distribution; digital content creation and
distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition
and distribution, operation of studio facilities; development of new
entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of
filmed entertainment in more than 100 countries. Sony Pictures
Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at
http://www.sonypictures.com.
SOURCE Sony Electronics
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.sonypictures.com
CONTACT:
Tom Di Nome, +1-201-930-6357,
Tom.Dinome@am.sony.com, or Amado Zavala, +1-201-930-6032,
Amado.Zavala@am.sony.com, both of Sony Electronics; or Chris
Petrikin of Twentieth Century Fox, +1-310-369-4781,
Chris.Petrikin@fox.com; or Patti S. Rockenwagner of Paramount
Pictures, +1-323-956-5011, patricia_rockenwagner@paramount.com;
or Steve Elzer of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group,
+1-310-244-7142, steve_elzer@spe.sony.com
|
