PARAMOUNT PICTURES INTERNATIONAL AND
ARTS ALLIANCE MEDIA ENTER INTO AGREEMENT
TO DEPLOY DIGITAL CINEMA IN EUROPE
London, UK – 11 October, 2007 – In a move that accelerates the conversion to digital cinema in Europe Paramount Pictures International (PPI) and Arts Alliance Media (AAM), Europe’s leading provider of digital film distribution services, have reached a non-exclusive long term agreement for digital cinema deployment. Under the agreement PPI has committed to supply its films in digital format to AAM deployed DCI-compliant digital cinema screens in the UK and Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy, the Nordic region and Benelux.
AAM is the only studio-backed digital cinema integrator in Europe. In June 2007, AAM signed Europe’s first long term agreements with Twentieth Century Fox and Universal Pictures International for digital cinema deployment across Europe, for close to 7000 screens over the next few years.
Andrew Cripps, PPI’s president said “PPI is delighted to have reached this agreement with Arts Alliance to roll out DCI compliant digital projection systems across Europe. This is a real step-change in the international arena which will only accelerate as 3D product becomes more commonplace and Paramount is proud to be at the forefront of this.”
Howard Kiedaisch, AAM’ s Chief Executive Officer said, “This agreement is a giant step forward for European exhibition and distribution. Gaining the support of PPI enables AAM to take our exhibitor discussions to the next level and kick-off widespread digital cinema rollout across Europe.”
Fiona Deans, AAM’s Director of Digital Cinema added, “We are very excited to have PPI on board. They share our steadfast determination to bring digital cinema to Europe, with a solid rollout plan, a continuous and sustained flow of content and reliable maintenance and support.”
Arts Alliance Media is in active negotiations with other studios for further digital deployment deals.
AAM completed the UK Film Council digital cinema rollout of 240 screens on April 30th, 2007, known as the Digital Screen Network. The company is also participating in two digital cinema trials in Europe, one in the UK at the Odeon Surrey Quays multiplex, since February 2007, and the other in Norway, in various cinemas across the country, since April 2006. To date, AAM’s in-house digital cinema lab has encoded over 200 digital cinema titles and shipped over 3489 digital prints.
- ends -
Contact Info:
Paramount Pictures International:
Roger Pollock: +44 (0)203 184 4141
EVP International Distribution and Operations
Mark Christiansen: +1 323 956 7722
EVP Operations
mark_christiansen@paramount.com
Arts Alliance Media:
Gemma Richardson: +44 (0)7920 236299
Notes to Editors:
About Arts Alliance Media:
Arts Alliance Media, based in London and Paris, is Europe's leading provider of digital film distribution services, dedicated to building a European digital network to deliver film to the cinema, to the home and between industry players. AAM provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions encompassing equipment selection, financing and integration, operator training, installation and support, and content management and delivery. AAM was founded in 2003 by Thomas C. Hoegh who serves as Chairman of the Board.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation:
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and DreamWorks Studios. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studios, and Worldwide Television Distribution.