DCinema Alliance Corp. (“DCA”) has signed digital cinema
deployment agreements with Paramount Pictures Corporation (“Paramount”),
Twentieth Century Fox International Corporation (“Fox”), Warner Bros.
Entertainment Inc. (“Warners”), and The Walt Disney Studios (“Disney”) to
facilitate the rollout of digital systems to cinemas throughout the
Philippines.
Under the terms of the
agreements, Paramount, Fox, Warner, and Disney have independently agreed to
supply feature films to exhibitors in digital form, as well as contribute
financially to DCA’s rollout of DCI-compliant digital cinema projection
systems. DCA is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Array’s Technologies Inc., the leading supplier of cinema
projection equipment and services in the Philippines.
Similar agreements with other
studios are in advanced negotiation.
MKPE Consulting LLC, a leading consultancy in entertainment technology
based in Los Angeles, is leading the negotiations for DCA.
As a pioneer in this endeavor,
DCA has a deep understanding of the fact that the huge cost of digital
equipment has been the stumbling block that hinders exhibitors from
converting. With studio VPFs now backing
the financing of equipment, Philippine exhibitors can look forward to making
100% digital conversion of their cinemas a reality.
Rey del Poso, CEO of Array’s
Technologies, said: “We are pleased to receive the support of the major motion
picture studios in our rollout. With
these agreements, we can now offer VPF-financed digital cinema projectors to
all exhibitors throughout the Philippines.
There are about 60,000 digital projection systems installed in the world
today, making this is an incredible opportunity for Philippine exhibitors to
keep pace with the changes in the motion picture industry. We believe this new
technology will ultimately open the floodgates for more opportunities and
benefits for exhibitors, distributors, and the industry as a whole, to reap and
enjoy.”
Neal Rothman, Vice President,
Digital Exhibition & Non-Theatrical Licensing of Fox, added “DCA’s
commitment to the digital transition and roll out of DCI compliant digital
projection systems in the Philippines and potentially across other Asian
markets is very significant. We are delighted to have closed this deal
and look forward to working with our friends and colleagues at DCA to bring
this plan to fruition.”
DCA will install DCI-compliant
Series 2 projectors and servers throughout its rollout. State-of-the-art theatre management systems
will also be deployed. To add further
value to its VPF program, DCA will build a maintenance support facility and
associated infrastructure, including a Network Operating Center (NOC) designed
to meet the demanding environment of digital cinema.
