Arts Alliance Media has announced that it has reached an exclusive agreement with the Amsterdam Booking Company a buying group representing Dutch independent cinemas to supply and integrate digital cinema in 68 screens within 20 cinemas across The Netherlands. The deal also covers the installation of a professional satellite network for the transmission of live events and encrypted content. Disney’s Bolt in 3D was to be the first digital release. The ABC rollout started immediately in order to equip screens for the February 11th Dutch release of Disney’s 3D film Bolt. Consequently this will be the first wide 3D release in the Netherlands. Screens in Heerenveen Heerlen Schagen Spijkenisse Venray Weert and Zutphen will be installed with digital cinema and 3D systems in time for Bolt. Under the conditions of the agreement AAM will create a fully integrated DCI-compliant digital cinema and satellite network within the ABC group of cinemas. The agreement requires AAM to procure service and maintain all digital cinema systems deployed including projectors and servers central storage servers and a theatre management system. ABC and AAM have jointly selected Christie projectors and Doremi servers for the deployment. FTT Filmtronics will carry out the installations and provide maintenance and local support. Arqiva Satellite and Media will provide the satellite equipment. Paul Visser ABC’s owner says “We see clearly what the future of cinema is going to be: digital 3D and live events. AAM is the best partner to make that happen and enable us to be the first widespread movers in the Netherlands.” Howard Kiedaisch chief executive officer AAM says “We are honored to have been chosen by ABC for this highly significant deployment. Our commitment is to help all cinemas convert to digital regardless of size or location and having ABC on board proves that our program works for independents as well as big chains.” Amsterdam Booking Company programs cinemas throughout the Netherlands and has a market share of 10 percent in the Dutch market. ABC also advises the connected cinemas on marketing management and future development. The cinemas share information with each other which leads to synergy. ABC has extensive knowledge of the distribution side of the business which enables the company to achieve the goals of both exhibition and distribution. To date AAM has a European footprint of 420 installed and operated digital cinema screens in the UK France Spain and Norway. Arts Alliance Media www.artsalliancemedia.com
