Screen Media has announced that ahead of its limited theatrical and video-on-demand release of Roger Michell’s Blackbird on September 18, they have partnered with Fathom Events for an exclusive nationwide cinema premiere on September 14 and 15. Each screening will be accompanied by a special introduction from Michell and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.
Draken Film, Sweden’s leading streaming service for art house cinema, has launched an initiative to coax audiences back into theatres in a unique collaboration with the country’s cinemas, as they prepare to re-open after months-long closures. Starting today, Draken Film subscribers will have access to the opening weekend screenings of a hand picked selection of new releases as part of their monthly subscription offer.
Theatrical distributor Abramorama will host the world premiere of the documentary Herb Alpert Is…. The global event will take place October 1 via Facebook Live and will feature a Q&A with Herb Alpert and director John Scheinfeld moderated by the Grammy Museum’s artistic director Scott Goldman immediately following. On October 2 the film will be available via a nationwide virtual cinema release and globally on demand through Amazon, iTunes and other video-on-demand providers. The film will also be available on Blu-Ray and DVD via Amazon.
The Digital Citizens Alliance and Nagra have jointly an investigative report showcasing how illegal piracy subscription services in the United States have grown into a billion-dollar industry that steals from creators, circumvents legitimate TV operators, and poses risks for consumers. The report, entitled Money for Nothing, details how a sophisticated ecosystem of thousands of retailers and wholesalers – through content theft and enabled by legal businesses – provides illicit piracy services to at least nine million U.S. households.
German-Swiss distributor DCM Film Distribution has moved into exhibition with the acquisition of a minority stake in Zurich-based exhibitor Arthouse Commercio Movie. It has assumed operational responsibilities for the programming, PR and marketing for the seven screens in five locations in the Swiss city.
Last month, three companies, MetaMedia Entertainment, Velocity Managed Services and Burbank post facility Pixelogic Media, formed a partnership to improve how digital cinema packages, key delivery messages and cinema advertising are produced and distributed over managed internet connections directly to exhibitors’ screens and dynamic digital lobby displays.
As Netflix, Disney, Amazon, and Apple battle for the estimated global $1 billion over-the-top subscription market, one company – Magine Pro, an OTT platform for mid-tier market video-on-demand and TV content – is asking the question: Will the VOD market be The Battle of the Global Giants or is there room for thematic streaming services that all together could create a wider diversity in the market? Put another way, is there enough consumer demand for specialist services for sports, kids programs, genre-specific series and movies, food and cooking services etc to make it a sustainable business?
Platinum Equity today announced the acquisition of Deluxe Entertainment Services’ distribution business. Financial terms were not disclosed. Deluxe Entertainment's creative businesses are not included in the acquisition. Former Deluxe CEO Cyril Drabinsky, who left the company in 2016 to found CineVizion, is returning to lead the business as CEO under Platinum Equity's ownership. As part of the transition, CineVizion's assets will be integrated into Deluxe.
Deluxe Entertainment Services has launched One VZN (pronounced “vision”), a new cloud-based IP delivery option for distributing major studio and independent content to movie theatres and exhibitors worldwide quickly and securely. Developed in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, One VZN is an enhancement to the Deluxe One platform, the company’s flagship cloud-based solution that unifies the media supply chain. One VZN leverages Deluxe’s 100-plus years of experience providing high-quality, reliable theatrical services to the media and entertainment industry and represents a continued investment in theatrical content delivery and support for the resurgence of theatrical viewing by consumers.
MetaMedia, Velocity and Pixelogic have formed MVP, a partnership between the three companies to deliver streamlined workflows and reduced cost in relation to the creation and delivery of content direct to theatres around the world. Harnessing the combined capabilities of each partner, MVP aims to improve how digital cinema packages, key delivery messages and cinema advertising are produced and distributed over managed internet connections directly to exhibitors’ screens and dynamic digital lobby displays.
