• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

mkpeReport

top analysis covering digital cinema, 3-D, HFR, and laser illumination

  • Reports
  • About
  • mkpe.com
  • cinepedia.com

European Commission

November 2009 by Michael Karagosian

The EC is carrying out a public fact finding mission to learn the business challenges of converting to digital cinema. Its request for information is posted at http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/overview/consultations/index_en.htm.

There are four questionnaires, each geared for a different industry segment. Naturally, many questions are pointed directly at Hollywood decision making: (some questions paraphrased)

  • Are you comfortable with projectors less than 2K in resolution?
  • Have you been refused films when using a projector less than 2K?
  • Should there be one single standard for digital projection?

And a bevy of questions geared to learn the business factors behind the conversion to digital cinema:

  • How much money was saved through digital distribution?
  • What is the range of VPFs that you’ve paid?
  • How can the complimentarity of a public support scheme with existing VPF models be ensured?
  • Do you feel your cinema is among those that would close because it is unable to convert?

The EC is likely to be disappointed. Many of the deeper answers it seeks are confidential information. Most interesting, however, is what it didn’t ask. Not one question is geared towards understanding how the limited distribution of security keys has upset the multiplex business model for cinema operators in Europe. While there is general agreement among US distributors and exhibitors to deliver all of the keys required in a multiplex to play a booked movie on any screen, no such understanding exists in Europe. Nor are any questions geared towards understanding the replacement cycle and associated costs of digital cinema equipment. The absence of a strong and well-informed voice for European exhibition is evident.

Still, the most detailed questionnaire is that for exhibitors, a clue that this is the sector behind the study. No doubt there are exhibitors seeking financial help for conversion. It’s estimated that as many as 10% of exhibitors in the US may not survive the transition, and that percentage may apply to Europe as well.

But not all exhibitors are looking to government for help. This month a European exhibitor announced it was taking matters into its own hands. Privately owned Digital Deployment Associates Limited announced its signing of virtual print fee agreements with three major studios, with the intent to roll out digital cinema in Odeon/UCI screens in the UK and continental Europe. In addition, Arts Alliance Media announced that it signed UK-based Reel Cinemas.

Filed Under: Deployment Entities, Exhibitors Tagged With: European Commission

Primary Sidebar

Search

Topics

  • 3-D
  • Accessibility
  • Alt Content & Advertising
  • Anti-Piracy
  • Color
  • Communications
  • Deployment Entities
  • Distributors
  • Exhibitors
  • Fulfillment
  • High Dynamic Range
  • Higher Frame Rates
  • Installations
  • Patents
  • Projectors
  • Servers and IMBs
  • Sound
  • Technical Bodies
  • Theatre Management Systems
  • Trade Organizations and Shows

Full Archives

a publication of
MKPE Consulting LLC

Footer

Important Stuff

  • About
  • Privacy Policy

Archives

  • Category & Monthly Archives
Archives date back to 2008.

MKPE

mkpeReport is a publication of MKPE, a world-class consultancy building business at the crossroads of cinema and technology.
Learn more about MKPE.

copyright © 2008 - 2023 mkpe consulting llc

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo