Centennial, CO and Memphis, TN—Mar 3, 2008
National Cinemedia and Malco Theatres Enter into Affiliate Agreement to Present Alternative Events in U.S. Movie Theatres
Variety of NCM Fathom events, including the Met Live in HD Series, to be presented in Memphis, Madison, Miss., Fayetteville and Ft. Smith, Ark.
National CineMedia LLC (NCM), has entered into a digital network affiliate agreement with Malco Theatres, the 17th largest theatre chain in the U.S., for the presentation of live and pre-recorded in-theatre events presented by NCM’s Fathom division. Under the terms of the new agreement, NCM will expand its Digital Broadcast Network – the largest high-definition digital in-theatre live network in North America – to include four initial Malco theatre locations in Memphis, Tenn.; Madison, Miss.; as well as Fayetteville and Ft. Smith, Ark, with more to follow in the future.
With the addition of the Malco theatres and theatres from NCM’s founding member exhibitors, AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark USA Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), as well as network affiliate theatres including Georgia Theatre Company, Goodrich Quality Theaters, Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements, NCM’s Digital Broadcast Network now includes 400 theatres.
Through special satellite-based High-Definition projection and encryption systems, NCM’s Digital Broadcast Network distributes live and pre-recorded Fathom events in markets across the United States, including Britten’s “Peter Grimes,” the fifth opera in a series of eight in the critically-acclaimed The Metropolitan Opera: Live in High Definition series. “Peter Grimes,” a haunting theatrical journey that features what may be 20th century opera’s most impressive tenor role, will be presented in Malco theatres and other NCM Fathom theatres on Saturday, March 15th at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT. Tickets for the Met events, presented LIVE via satellite, can be purchased at participating theatre box offices or online at www.FathomEvents.com.
“We’re very pleased to add the well-known Malco Theatres to our list of special event venues nationwide and especially pleased to bring NCM Fathom events to Memphis for the first time - allowing us to bring one-of-a-kind content to consumers in all top 50 U.S. markets,” said Tom Galley, executive vice president, chief technology and operations officer at NCM. “The continued expansion of our digital and satellite network, together with Malco Theatres, broadens NCM’s ability to bring a high-quality entertainment experience to an even greater number of patrons, including those who reside in markets with less opportunity to be exposed to high quality arts and entertainment performances.”
“The partnership with NCM will provide us with the opportunity to provide our customers with a wide range of alternative content that we would otherwise not be able to offer,” said Bobby Levy, executive vice president of advertising at Malco Theatres.
Since 2002, NCM has presented a variety of music, sports and other entertainment events in movie theatres nationwide during off-peak movie going hours using its proprietary Digital Broadcast Network. Recent NCM Fathom in-theatre presentations have included live, High Definition performances of The Metropolitan Opera; St. Olaf Christmas Festival; “Spirit of the Marathon” documentary; the “Poltergeist” 25th Anniversary; and numerous concert events featuring popular artists such as Garth Brooks, Celine Dion, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and Linkin Park, among others.
