Belgium—Mar 22, 2011
Kit Digital and XDC Join Forces to Provide the Entertainment Industry with A Full Suite of Global Content Services
KIT digital's Brickbox division, one of Europe's leading providers of traditional and next generation digital video asset management solutions and XDC, the n°1 digital cinema service company in Europe, have partnered to become a global one-stop shop digital content services provider. This unique collaboration will provide the entertainment industry with an innovative, efficient and cost effective offering to deliver movies on any media platform including cinemas, Blu-ray & DVD, TV, VOD, and mobile.
Through this new partnership, both companies will be able to offer the entire life cycle management of films to both major studios and independent distributors. This unique collaboration brings together two leaders in digital cinema services, digital video asset management as well as next generation IP video solutions to create the widest spectrum of content service solutions to date.
Alan Christensen, Digital Cinema Director of KIT digital, added: "Combining our initiatives was a natural step in evolving our aim to expand both our services further across the continent, offering a pan European reach to international studios and local distributors alike. XDC has the most aggressive deployment roll out growth in Europe and by partnering with them we will have the opportunity to further expand the role of exhibition in digital cinema. Both organizations bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table and I look forward to building on innovative ideas, developing new technologies and providing end-to-end solutions across all currently covered and future territories.
Alexandre Weiser, Content Services Sales Director of XDC says: "This agreement is an important milestone for XDC content lab. It allows XDC to access markets where KIT digital is already present, and inversely. By joining forces, we will benefit from extensive experiences in the digital cinema, home video, TV and new media areas. Together, we will be able to offer a full package of services to major Hollywood studios, independent film producers and distributors, movie sales agents and digital cinema alternative content producers, right-owners and distributors globally."
In terms of operations, XDC and KIT digital cover multiple geographies, including facilities located in Liege (Belgium), Paris (France), Prague (Czech Rep), Sofia (Bulgaria), London (UK), Los Angeles (USA). New operational territories expected to launch in the near time include Russia, Germany, Scandinavia, Southern Europe and Middle East.
Petr Stránský, Managing Director, Media and Entertainment of KIT digital, commented: "This cooperation is a clear sign of our commitment to develop and deploy professional services for the content industry, which will enable our clients to secure new revenue streams, utilize IP video technologies in innovative ways and reach a global audience."
Fabrice Testa, Vice President Sales & Business Development of XDC concluded: "Now that the digitalization of cinemas is moving ahead with thousands of screens operational in Europe, XDC is committed to be a key player on the content side. This agreement with KIT digital will act as a catalyst in order to boost our content and network services. Moreover, with KIT digital, we are happy to work with highly professional and dynamic people having a company culture very similar to XDC."
