Coming off of a record year for the movies, the U.S. cinema advertising industry continues to thrive and reinforce its position as the ultimate premium video offering, with revenue topping $750 million for the first time. The Cinema Advertising Council said 2016 revenue increased 5.8 percent year-over-year, with revenue among CAC members climbing to $758,320,000, up from $716,436,000 in 2015.
Adults fifty and older make up more than 30-percent of all visits by moviegoers, according to a new study conducted by marketing data analytics firm Movio on behalf of The American Association of real Possibilities (AARP). The study, entitled, The 50-plus Moviegoer, An Industry Segment That Should Not Be Ignored found that mid-life and older moviegoers—in particular, those ages 50 and older—are a powerful force at the box office.
Christie has announced that James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment has renewed an exclusive, five-year agreement with the company for sharing know-how and technology to propel the future of immersive cinema experiences. “To push the boundary of digital cinema, one needs visionary, like-minded collaborators and that description fits Christie to a tee, given its long cinema heritage and impressive list of industry ‘firsts’ in the projection and visual display realms,” said Cameron. “Several years ago we began our relationship, which has worked well, so I’m pleased to be forging ahead again with Christie at my side.”
Barco has announced the opening of Japan’s first two theaters featuring Smart Laser technology. At both its Miyazaki and Omuta locations, cinema chain Central Cinema has replaced two existing projectors with Barco DP2K-20CLP projectors.
French cinema exhibitor Megarama has signed an agreement to install EclairColor HDR technology on 15 screens. “We will deploy the new EclairColor HDR technology at 10 of our cinema sites across France with the first two cinemas – Megarama Bordeaux and Megarama Villeneuve-La-Garenne – to be equipped in April,” said Jean-Pierre Lemoine, president and CEO of Megarama Group. “After laser technology, we are continuing to invest in the modernization of our own cinema equipment with EclairColor, a brand new, affordable HDR technology powered by Sony Digital Cinema 4K SRX-515 projection system technology. The benefits for moviegoers are real with a significantly enhanced image andan increased perception of details, the color range is much richer and the gradients much more refined, even in the darkest colors.”
Barco and CMX, a subsidiary of Cinemex, have partnered to equip the new CMX Theater at the newly opened, billion dollar plus Brickell City Centre in Miami, Florida with Barco’s Smart Laser cinema projectors. When it opens in April, the cinema will deliver the region’s best movie presentation quality while operating at a significantly lower cost than traditional xenon-powered theaters.
Christie has announced that the Cinema Sunshine Aira Theatre, owned by Sasaki Kogyo will deploy the advanced Christie CP42LH RGB laser projection system in April. The Christie enhanced wavelength diversification system comprises a single 3DLP 4K RGB laser projection head and an EWD laser light farm with fiber-optic delivery. It will be fitted in Auditorium 5 of Cinema Sunshine Aira Theatre.
Reel Cinemas has announced that it is now adding 19 Barco flagship laser projectors to its portfolio, which Barco Gold Partner CineTech ME JLT will install this year. In addition, Reel Cinemas has invested in Barco Escape, Barco’s three-screen panoramic movie theater.
Movio recently worked with the Australian-based cinema exhibitor Village Cinemas to refine and relaunch its Vrewards program. The new iteration of Vrewards gives members the opportunity to earn point-based rewards on every dollar spent at Village Cinemas’ Ticket Box, Candy Bar and Gold Class.
Barco is installing two flagship laser projectors at Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea. Barco’s DP4K-60L projectors will illuminate the 34-meter wide screen in Lotte Cinema’s Super Plex G theatre, which is the largest screen on the planet. The story of Lotte Cinema is filled with superlatives.
