Deluxe/EchoStar LLC has announced that it has been selected by the Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition (DCDC) to provide digital asset management, distribution by satellite and other means, as well as operations support for its advanced theatrical digital delivery platform.
The Deluxe/EchoStar joint venture was formed in 2010, to bring together the digital asset management and distribution expertise of industry veteran Deluxe Digital Cinema Inc., a subsidiary of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc.; with the satellite operations and transmission expertise of EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS).
DCDC was formed by AMC Theaters, Regal Entertainment Group, Cinemark Theaters, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. to create a state of the art digital network open to all content providers and exhibitors for delivery of movies and other content to theatres in North America.
“Deluxe/EchoStar is enabling DCDC to fulfill the promise of deploying a highly cost-effective, secure, and robust infrastructure for digital delivery of movies and other content to theaters across North America,” said Randolph Blotky, spokesman for DCDC.
“We are pleased at this expression of confidence in the capabilities of Deluxe/EchoStar to support DCDC in providing a reliable, secure and cost effective satellite distribution platform that will ensure theater audiences continue to enjoy the high-quality cinematic experience they are accustomed to,” said Joe Hart, senior vice president of Digital Cinema North America at Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, Inc.
“Our satellite delivery system will allow theater owners to leverage their substantial investment in digital exhibition and expand their programming offerings while stabilizing the cost of distribution,” said Anders Johnson, president of EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C.
Theater owners across the country have invested heavily in digital upgrades at a cost of $70,000 to $100,000 per screen. Currently, most digital content delivery is achieved by loading new releases on hard drives that are shipped to and from theaters around the country. Secure satellite delivery of content by Deluxe/EchoStar directly to theaters will lower movie distribution costs and allow exhibitors to offer theater goers live events and other special content.