Microspace Digital
Cinema Experiences 200% Growth In Less Than One Year
(8 July 2008) Microspace
Communications Corporation (Microspace), the leading distributor of digital
cinema via satellite, announced today that it has expanded its network to more
than 3,000 screens across North America becoming the largest independent
network to service theatre owners.
Since 2005, the company has
delivered 33 major motion pictures from nine studios, including the first 3-D
movie and the first 4K movie via satellite, to theatre circuits within the
United States, Mexico and Canada.
Using its Velocity satellite system,
Microspace now services six full theatre circuits including Carmike Cinemas,
Celebration! Cinema, Megaplex and Cineplex Entertainment. In addition to these
full theatre circuits, Microspace also delivers feature films and alternative
content to theatres across 22 other circuits.
Much of the success of
Microspace is a result of Hollywood's demand for an effective and cost
efficient method of delivery to the growing number of digital screens across
North America. Satellite distribution offers studios, theatre exhibitors and
alternative content providers a less labour-intensive and secure method of
content delivery. Delivering motion pictures via satellite is a secure,
scalable, hands-free approach that includes full tracking and verification of
the delivery through the entire process and reduces the overall workload of the
theatre staff.
"Microspace has been delivering select movies to our
theatres for well over a year now and the full process from initial
installation to actual theatre implementation and operation has been has been
very straightforward and painless," said Fred Van Noy, Chief Operating Officer
of Carmike Cinemas Inc. "We hope to realise cost savings and operational
efficiencies from the Microspace network as the rollout is
completed."
"Microspace provides expert service in delivering content
via satellite to our screens," said Mike Renlund, Digital Cinema Specialist for
Megaplex. "We were so pleased with the operation and ease of the Microspace
delivery system we have fielded it to all of our theatre
complexes."
Microspace has distributed 33 motion pictures to date. The
company has also delivered alternative content such as sporting events,
including a college football game delivered live in High Definition to multiple
theatre locations and the delivery of a sporting event to over 150 Carmike
theatres.
"We are very pleased to reach the 3,000 screen milestone ahead
of forecast by developing a satellite digital delivery system that meets the
security, reliability and accountability required by our studio and exhibitor
customers," said Curt Tilly, manager of digital cinema distribution at
Microspace. "Microspace has built a dependable digital cinema delivery network
by expanding on its successful 20 year satellite broadcasting
business."
Microspace has played an integral part in helping the
industry address the concerns and workflow of electronic distribution via
satellite for the past five years. These deliveries have proven the robust
nature of Velocity and the engineering work that went into developing a
comprehensive in-theatre delivery solution. The Microspace approach was then
presented to the industry as an open platform, thus encouraging further
connectivity and integration with other key suppliers serving the motion
picture and theatre exhibitor community.
By the end of 2007,
Microspace's digital cinema unit had distributed feature films from five
studios to a network that included 1,000 screens. This included more than a
dozen participating theatre circuits within the United States, Canada, and
Mexico.
About Carmike Cinemas
Carmike Cinemas, Inc. is a premiere
motion picture exhibitor in the United States with 262 theatres and 2,339
screens in 36 states, as of March 31, 2008. Carmike's focus for its theatre
locations is small to mid-size communities with populations of fewer than
100,000.
About Megaplex Theatres
Megaplex Theatres, owned by
Larry H. Miller Theatres Inc., is an early adopter and leader in the digital
cinema industry. With its commitment to providing an "Uncommon Experience"
Megaplex Theatres furnishes the highest quality of feature film presentation,
often posting some of the highest box office sales in the nation.
About
Microspace
Microspace Communications Corporation (Microspace), a
subsidiary of Capitol Broadcasting Company, is the leader in satellite services
for digital cinema, business communications and digital signage. The company
operates the largest global business satellite broadcasting network with nearly
340,000 remote links world-wide. With a 20-year heritage, Microspace's Velocity
satellite services power networks for Morgan Stanley, Abercrombie and Fitch,
John Deere and many, many more. Microspace uses the Intelsat network for
delivering services to the digital cinema industry.
The Velocity service
is available as either a dedicated solution or as an on-demand service,
enabling customers to easily and affordably expand bandwidth as their needs
change. Microspace is headquartered in the U.S. and has a presence in Europe
and Latin America.
About Capitol Broadcasting
Capitol
Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns
and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL Digital, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, 99.9 The Fan,
Microspace, the North Carolina News Network, CBC New Media Group and Wolfpack
Sports Marketing in Raleigh, NC, WJZY-TV and WMYT-TV in Charlotte, NC; WILM-TV
in Wilmington, NC; WRAZ-TV and The Durham Bulls in Durham, NC; and real estate
interests including the American Tobacco Project and Diamond View office
building in Durham, NC.
(source: Microspace Communications)
