MORRISTOWN, N.J.—Feb 13, 2008
The Walt Disney Studios, ESPN, Access IT Team Up To Bring Fans Into Theatres For Live Satellite Streaming Of Major College Basketball Event
Texas Fans to Enjoy College Rivals Pair-up in Theatres Around the State
The Walt Disney Studios, ESPN and Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. (“AccessIT”) (NASDAQ: AIXD) will team up to stream a live HD broadcast of the classic rivalry between the University of Texas and Texas A&M into digital cinema-equipped theatres throughout Texas on February 18, 2008. The game will be shown on a total of 15 screens in Carmike Cinemas, Galaxy Theatres and Rave Motion Pictures cinema locations. Excited fans, unable to be in the Longhorn’s sold-out Frank Erwin Center, will be able to cheer together from the equivalent of courtside seats as the teams’ tip-off.
This is the first time Disney, ESPN and AccessIT have joined forces to provide a live sporting event to paying audiences following tests last year. It is also the first event at which AccessIT’s CineLiveTM technology, providing live 2-D and 3-D streaming of alternative content to theatres, will be employed for a major sports spectacle since the product was announced last fall.
“One of the many reasons we’ve supported AccessIT’s leadership in transitioning the industry to digital cinema is to be able to provide events such as this one to eager audiences,” said Chuck Viane, President, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Distribution. “Fans get to enjoy the action of often sold-out games and the camaraderie of others without having to travel great distances, and each one gets the best seat in the house.”
“Working with Disney and ESPN to bring this event to geographically-dispersed exhibitors and their patrons is a dramatic example of the shift we anticipate in the industry. With digital cinema, not only can theatergoers enjoy more events like this basketball showdown, but we anticipate large audiences will also enjoy an increasing number of Disney programs like the recently released Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus concert in 3-D,” added Bud Mayo, Chairman and CEO of AccessIT.