Variety
6th December 2007
Sony signs digital deal with AAM
Major agrees to supply digital prints
By Archie Thomas
LONDON — Sony Pictures Releasing Intl. has signed a non-exclusive long-term deal with European digital cinema deployment org Arts Alliance Media.
Under the deal, SPRI will supply digital versions of their films to AAM-deployed DCI-compliant digital screens and make financial contributions to promote d-cinema.AAM already has similar deals in place with 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures Intl. and Paramount Pictures Intl. In November, AAM pacted with French circuit CGR Cinemas to convert all 400 of its screens to digital.
“This is encouraging if not unexpected news for digital cinema in Europe,” commented Karsten-Peter Grummitt from cinema analyst outfit Dodona Research. “Price remains the big stumbling block for distributors and exhibitors and there is plenty more good news still to come before the European digital cinema revolution is complete.”