Universal Pictures Agrees to Provide Digital Feature Films to Exhibitors, Joining Christie/AIX's 4,000-Screen Digital Cinema Rol
31 Oktober 2005 - 7:37PM
PR Newswire (US)
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures today
announced it will make its future feature films available to the
DCI-compliant digital projection systems deployed by Christie/AIX,
the subsidiary of Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. (AccessIT)
(AMEX:AIX) which is launching a nation-wide rollout of 4,000
systems. Under a non-exclusive arrangement, Universal Pictures will
provide exhibitors with a steadily increasing number of feature
films in digital format. Universal has also agreed to pay virtual
print fees to Christie/AIX for each movie projected on deployed
systems offsetting exhibition's cost to transition to digital. The
studio added that films produced by its Focus Features and Rogue
Pictures units also may be made available in digital format in the
future under similar terms. "This is a big step forward in the
transition to Digital Cinema," said Nikki Rocco, Universal's
President of Distribution. "Universal is pleased to be making its
first digital distribution deal. We look forward to working with
exhibitors, Christie and AccessIT to provide the superior
experience for moviegoers that this new technology offers." Bud
Mayo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AccessIT, commented:
"Gaining Universal's support for our Christie/AIX effort is another
significant development in the evolution of digital cinema.
Universal has long been a leader in filmed entertainment, providing
audiences around the world with a truly diverse range of content.
We are pleased to be working together to bring the excitement and
potential of digital cinema to exhibitors and audiences
nationwide." Christie/AIX acts as the financing intermediary
between content-owners -- including major studios and independent
distributors -- and exhibitors, utilizing the DCI-compliant digital
cinema systems comprised of Christie DLP Cinema(R) projectors, JPEG
2000 servers and related hardware and software including AccessIT's
unique Theatre Command Center. The Universal agreement comes on the
heels of similar commitments from The Walt Disney Company's Buena
Vista Pictures Distribution arm and from Twentieth Century Fox.
Christie/AIX expects to install the first 150 systems in multiple
exhibitor locations by December 31, 2005. Jack Kline, President and
COO, Christie, noted: "Universal is a global powerhouse in film
creation and distribution. Its commitment to delivering films
digitally means an even wider choice of digital films for
exhibitors to screen and for audiences to view. With Universal
Pictures' commitment to this rollout, digital cinema is poised to
meet the promise of delivering the highest quality visual
experience for moviegoers, something this industry has always
strived to deliver." Chuck Goldwater, President and Chief Operating
Officer of Christie/AIX, added: "Universal is the latest to lend
its support for our unique business plan that will jump-start the
adoption of digital cinema. The studio's participation in our
rollout effort adds to the considerable momentum now building for
digital cinema from both distributors and exhibitors." About
Universal Pictures Universal Pictures is a division of Universal
Studios (http://www.universalstudios.com/). Universal Studios is
part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and
entertainment companies in the development, production, and
marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global
audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and
Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a
valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier
motion picture company, significant television production
operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned
theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with
20% controlled by Vivendi Universal. About Christie Christie is a
leader in visual solutions for world-class organizations, offering
diverse applications for business, entertainment, and industry. A
leading innovator in film projection since 1929 and a pioneer in
digital projection systems since 1979, Christie has established a
global reputation as a total service provider and the world's
single source manufacturer of a variety of display technologies and
solutions. Christie offers comprehensive solutions for cinema,
large audience venues, control rooms, business presentations,
training facilities, 3D and Virtual Reality, simulation and
education as well as industrial and government environments. For
more information, visit http://www.christiedigital.com/. About
AccessIT Access Integrated Technologies Inc. (AccessIT) is an
industry leader in offering a fully managed storage and electronic
delivery service for owners and distributors of digital content to
movie theatres and other venues. Supported by its robust platform
of fail-safe Internet data centers, AccessIT is able to leverage
the market-leading role of its Theatrical Distribution System (TDS)
with its innovative digital delivery capabilities and in-theatre
software systems to provide the highest level of technology
available to enable the emerging digital cinema industry to
transition from film with changing workflows. For more information
on AccessIT, visit http://www.accessitx.com/. Safe Harbor Statement
Investors and readers are cautioned that certain statements
contained in this document, as well as some statements in periodic
press releases and some oral statements of AccessIT officials
during presentations about AccessIT, along with AccessIT's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including AccessIT's
registration statements, quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and
annual report on Form 10-KSB, are "forward-looking" statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 (the "Act"). Forward-looking statements include statements
that are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future
events or conditions, which include words such as "expects,"
"anticipates," "intends," "plans," "could," "might," "believes,"
"seeks," "estimates" or similar expressions. In addition, any
statements concerning future financial performance (including
future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business
strategies or prospects, and possible future actions, which may be
provided by AccessIT's management, are also forward-looking
statements as defined by the Act. Forward-looking statements are
based on current expectations and projections about future events
and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions
about AccessIT, its technology, economic and market factors and the
industries in which AccessIT does business, among other things.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and
AccessIT undertakes no specific obligation or intention to update
these statements after the date of this release. DLP Cinema(R) is a
registered trademark of Texas Instruments. DATASOURCE: Universal
Pictures CONTACT: Paul Pflug, , or Hans-Dieter Kopal, , both of
Universal Pictures, +1-818-777-0020; or Dorina Belu of Christie,
+1-519-749-3323, ; or Suzanne Tregenza Moore of Access Integrated
Technologies, Inc., +1-973-290-0080, Web site:
http://www.universalstudios.com/ http://www.christiedigital.com/
http://www.accessitx.com/
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