The loosening of restrictions on the media and entertainment sector by The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has fueled the demand for public viewing of cinema in theatres. This positive development has created revenue generation opportunities for several stakeholders in the ecosystem, both nationally and internationally, as the region is one of few in the world where cinema exhibition is a new business.
Juliana F. Hill has been appointed to National CineMedia’s board of directors. She has also been appointed by the board to serve as a member of the audit committee. Hill brings her extensive financial, media industry, and outdoor advertising expertise to NCM, following a long career in finance with iHeartMedia, Inc. (formerly Clear Channel Communications), the number one audio company in the United States.
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.
Christie is highlighting a new certified refurbishment program at the Beijing International Radio, TV & Film Exhibition 2020 online trade show, taking place on August 19-21.
In response to the ongoing turmoil in the cinema business caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Atom Seating is lowering prices, extending payment times and donating five percent of sales to organizations fighting the virus.
Last August, the Star Cinema Grill in Richmond, Texas, a Houston suburb, was having great success in its premium large format auditorium thanks to having installed the largest Samsung Onyx LED Cinema Screen in North America. It was just the second exhibitor in the country with an Onyx and audiences loved the experience; the theatre was sold out for almost every show. Cut to this August and times have changed dramatically. The United States in general and Texas in particular are still dealing with the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the handful of indoor theatres that are open are working under severe restrictions. In response to that, Star Cinema Grill is in the process of opening a drive-in theatre at its Cypress, Texas location
Ymagis Group has reported its consolidated financial revenue for the first six months of 2020, ending June 30, and provided an update on the receivership proceedings currently underway. Among the highlights of that period is the fact that the company’s revenues are down 48 percent, mainly due to the impact of the global pandemic as well as the anticipated decline in virtual print fee activity.
Sena Cinemas, Reykjavik has signed a multi-year agreement with Movio Cinema to better analyze, understand and connect with its cinema audiences. Sena owns and operates Iceland’s largest cinemas including Smarabio equipped with laser projectors for all screens and a Dolby Atmos sound system in the main hall. Smarabio’s fun center hosts an arcade, laser tag, virtual reality games, karaoke, and facilities to accommodate groups of all sizes.
Platforms for the distribution of film and TV content are endlessly multiplying and changing in nature. In parallel, the application of copyright rules attached to audiovisual works and their exploitation along the value chain are becoming increasingly complex. Obtaining rights from the rights holders involved in a given project and, in some cases, acquiring licenses for the use of pre-existing works, is an essential aspect of the work of film producers and marks an indispensable preliminary step before they can grant licenses for the exploitation of the work to the various exploitation channels.
Muvi Cinemas has opened the first Dolby Cinema in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the U-Walk Boulevard, Arabian Centres in Riyadh.
