Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp.(NASDAQ: CIDM), the global leader in digital cinema, today announced the deployment of 210 Cinedigm-Certified™ screens across 15 existing locations across Missouri. Utilizing NEC digital cinema projectors & GDC servers provided by Ballantyne-Strong, Inc. (NYSE Amex: BTN), the installations will commence immediately and are anticipated to be completed by the end of 2011.
“With our long history of innovation and a superior entertainment experience, we are thrilled to ring in the digital era with Cinedigm,” said Ronald P. Krueger, Chairman and CEO of Wehrenberg Theatres. “Wehrenberg Theatres has been a leader in motion picture exhibition for over 100 years and we know this transition to digital will provide our goal of ‘entertainment excellence’ to our guests.”
With Cinedigm’s turnkey suite of digital cinema technologies, Wehrenberg Theatres will offer consumers all-new digital entertainment options. From 3D movie extravaganzas to live sports programming and 3D theatrical concerts to event programming, Wehrenberg Theatres will deliver enhanced digital cinema entertainment well into the future.
“Wehrenberg is one of the pre-eminent models in our industry of exhibition excellence and consistency, over an amazing 100 years of operation,” said Chuck Goldwater, President, Media Services Group. “Cinedigm is exceedingly proud that Wehrenberg selected us from among the many choices they had for a digital cinema partner. We are eager to begin working with Ron and his entire team to help them continue their outstanding tradition of excellence for many more years to come.”
“The transition to digital technology in cinemas across the country relies heavily on some key partnerships,” said Pierre Richer, President and COO of NEC Display Solutions. “We are pleased to work with Cinedigm to support Wehrenberg Theaters in delivering innovation and longevity to the exhibition marketplace, the same attributes that NEC lives by each day.”
Since the beginning of digital conversions, Cinedigm has been the leader in digital cinema. In Phase 1, Cinedigm deployed 3724 screens at 348 sites for 18 exhibitors in the United States. In the current Phase 2, Cinedigm has signed contracts now with close to 80 exhibitors to deploy over 3,500 Screens. Such theatres are fully networked, turnkey systems – simple and cost-efficient to operate.
Digital cinema enables theatres to program high quality live and alternative content programming. Recent releases by Cinedigm include the ground-breaking, worldwide LIVE 3D broadcast of the FIFA World Cup Championship, the BCS Championship in LIVE 3D, the Dave Matthews Band 3D concerts, and the sold out 3D PHISH concerts. Cinedigm has also released the KIDTOONS series for the past six years, a weekly family friendly matinee series that runs in over 165 theatres across the country.
Cinedigm's Digital Cinema division is the industry-leading deployment program for Digital Cinema. It facilitates the funding, installation support and administration for the company's studio-supported Digital Cinema rollout plans. Cinedigm is also the digital cinema integrator of choice for the CBG, a buying program of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) for small and independent theatre operators in United States and Canada.
