BURBANK, Calif. & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition (DCDC) announced today that it
has reached agreements with Lionsgate, Universal Pictures, The Walt
Disney Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Paramount Pictures
to provide each with theatrical digital delivery services across North
America. DCDC, formed by AMC Theatres, Regal Entertainment Group,
Cinemark Theatres, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros., has created a
network for next generation satellite and terrestrial digital
distribution capable of supporting feature, promotional, pre-show and
live content distribution into theatres using the latest in digital
distribution technologies. The network is designed to provide a highly
reliable and cost effective distribution model for distributors and
exhibitors alike. As digital distribution replaces the use of
traditional, physical media for content distribution, users of the
network will have access to a host of delivery options and resources.
Speaking on behalf of DCDC, Randolph Blotky stated, "DCDC's service
platform is the state of the art for digital delivery of various kinds
of content to theatres in North America. Its business model will assure
long-term consistent low cost pricing to content providers and
exhibitors across the industry. We are very excited to welcome Warner
Bros. Entertainment, Lionsgate, The Walt Disney Company, Universal
Pictures and Paramount Pictures to our service."
Darcy Antonellis, President, Technical Operations, and Chief Technology
Officer, Warner Bros. Entertainment added, "The vision of creating a
cross-industry distribution service to benefit distributors, exhibitors,
service providers and consumers is becoming a reality. We're extremely
pleased to be working with our colleagues to bring to fruition a
powerful distribution network that is advantageous for us all."
Nikki Rocco, President, Universal Pictures Distribution, added, "With
the majority of the domestic theatrical market now digital, the ability
to efficiently distribute films via satellite to a large subset of our
exhibitor partners will further ensure moviegoers have access to the
latest and highest quality theatrical entertainment. Universal is
excited to work with DCDC in the satellite delivery of our films, as it
rolls out its satellite platform over the coming months."
"DCDC's new satellite service provides a seamless and secure system that
will enable us to streamline and expedite access to our latest content,"
said Dave Hollis, Executive Vice President, Theatrical Exhibition Sales
and Distribution, The Walt Disney Studios. "This is a crucial
advancement in theatrical distribution, and we're thrilled to be on
board."
"The wide-spread adoption of DCDC's platform is a game-changer," said
Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
"The service ensures that audiences have the most high-quality
entertainment experience while exhibitors and content providers achieve
a strategic, secure and cost-effective new business model. We are very
pleased to join DCDC and our partner studios in this initiative."
"We are pleased that Lionsgate can again be at the forefront of digital
cinema and be part of the state of the art digital delivery system that
will benefit the entire industry," said Richie Fay, Lionsgate's
President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution.
"All of us at Paramount believe the advancement of digital distribution
technologies will help to further our goal to bring the finest
entertainment to audiences in a seamless and secure manner, and the DCDC
will be a great partner for us to achieve that goal," said Megan
Colligan, Paramount Pictures' President of Domestic Marketing and
Distribution.
"DCDC is creating a technological superhighway," said Tim Warner, CEO
and President, Cinemark Theatres. "It's one port access to thousands of
screens, for both movies and alternative content, from all content
providers."
DCDC is expected to complete the initial network roll-out before
year-end. Deluxe/EchoStar LLC will be providing operations support for
the DCDC network.
# # #
About Warner Bros. Entertainment:
Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of
entertainment and their related businesses across all current and
emerging media and platforms. A Time Warner Company, the fully
integrated, broad-based Studio is home to one of the most successful
collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every
aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and
home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to Blu-ray and
DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product
and brand licensing and broadcasting.
About Universal Pictures:
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com).
Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the
world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development,
production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a
global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of
news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company,
significant television production operations, a leading television
stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns
a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates,
is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media
enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and
resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive. Disney
is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of about $42.3 billion in
its last fiscal year.
About Lionsgate:
Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and
diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution,
television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family
entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms and
international distribution and sales. Its feature film business has been
fueled by such recent successes as the blockbuster first installment of
The Hunger Games franchise, the 13th highest-grossing domestic release
of all time, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, which has
grossed more than $800 million at the worldwide box office, Warm Bodies,
Texas Chainsaw 3D, The Expendables 2, The Possession, Sinister, The
Cabin in the Woods and Arbitrage. With the January 2012 acquisition of
Summit Entertainment, the Company has now added the blockbuster Twilight
Saga franchise, which has grossed more than $3.3 billion at the
worldwide box office, to its current slate, giving the Company the two
premier young adult franchises in the world. The Lionsgate and Summit
brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in
markets around the world.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation:
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor
of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a
leading content company with prominent and respected film, television
and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of
some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including
Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount
Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC
operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home
Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount
Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
Source: Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition