Paramount signs deal with Kodak and DCIP

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | New York
Paramount Pictures has signed digital cinema agreements with Kodak and Digital Cinema Implementation Partners (DCIP). Paramount, a unit of Viacom, is the first studio to sign an agreement with Kodak.

Jim Tharp, president, domestic theatrical distribution, Paramount, said, "These agreements signify an exciting and progressive development in digital cinema conversion. As more integrators enter the marketplace, the industry will be in a position to minimize overall costs, while maximizing the choices that exhibitors have to upgrade thousands of theatres around the world."

The Kodak deal, which will be applicable to the deployment of digital motion picture projectors to U.S. exhibitors, will provide for the payment of Virtual Print Fees (VPF) to help promote the installation of digital projection systems.

Exhibitors who install the Kodak system, which also supports 3D technology, will convert to a DLP-based 2K projector, along with Kodak content players and the Kodak Theatre Management System. The deal covers as many as 8,000 U.S. screens.

"This is a proud step forward in our long relationship with Paramount and one more indication that we're serious about enabling our customers to choose Kodak as they make their digital plans for the future," said Gary Einhaus, general manager and vice-president, Kodak Digital Cinema.

DCIP's theatre upgrade program calls for the conversion of thousands of screens throughout the U.S. and Canada to 2K or 4K digital projection systems including the theatres of DCIP's owners, Regal, AMC and Cinemark.

"Our relationship with Paramount and other studios marks a key milestone in making digital cinema a reality and we look forward to working with them to ensure a smooth transition," said Travis Reid, CEO, DCIP.