XDC And Empire Cinemas Agree To Deploy 200 Digital Screens In The UK

Empire Cinemas, the UK's largest independent cinema operator and XDC, a leading digital cinema service company in Europe, have agreed contracts for a deployment of digital cinema systems under XDC's VPF funding scheme.
Justin Ribbons, Chief Executive Officer of Empire Cinemas, said: "We made the decision to contract with XDC because they offered the most competitive financing solution available on the market combined with expert technical support and knowledge from their well established NOC. With the help of XDC we will be able to complete our full-out within a very short time frame."
For XDC this agreement also marks an important point for their presence on the UK market as Serge Plasch, Chief Executive Officer of XDC pointed out: "It's great that we have reached agreement with Empire Cinemas. As the UK's largest independent exhibitor this is of key strategic importance to XDC."
David Pope, XDC's Director of Operations for UK & Ireland added: "It's always a pleasure to work with Justin and his Chief Technical Manager Andre Mort. I have known them both for many years now and look forward to supporting them and Empire with their total transition to digital, it's an exciting time."
Under the terms of the agreement with XDC, Empire Cinemas will have Series 2 DCI-compliant digital projection systems installed in 17 complexes and more than 200 screens.
Furthermore, XDC will implement a content delivery network that allows distributors to deliver films directly by satellite and/or broadband connection to the cinemas, and gives the opportunity to receive live 2D and 3D transmissions.
All the systems will be connected to XDC's NOC (Network Operations Centre) which will perform the hotline support and the preventive remote maintenance. Thanks to a sophisticated XDC web-based application, XDC's UK integration partners will directly manage the local support - with the possibility to have a full remote monitoring of the digital systems. Furthermore, they will take care of the installations and maintenance supported by XDC's NOC services.
Empire Cinemas are the largest independent exhibitor in the UK. Empire has already made a big start into their roll-out with 50 systems installed. XDC shall support the process of a seamless transition to digital, with a further 150 systems being installed over the next 12 months.
(KMcA/GK)