Cinema Buying Group, representing a large number of small independent theatre owners in the US, is seeking ways to move forward with its Cinedigm deal. One possibility under discussion with studios is to make widely available the weekly VPF offered by Paramount in its direct-to-exhibitor financing offer. Paramount’s offer is innovative in offering a 1/3 VPF payment for a week’s worth of film rental, regardless of when the rental takes place in the release cycle. Unhinging the payment from the release date, and doling it out in smaller chunks, puts independent cinema owners on a level playing field in terms of ability to recoup equipment cost.
Another direction being explored is direct funding of equipment purchases by exhibitor-guaranteed funds. This would ease the credit requirement needed of Cinedigm, while leveraging the benefit of Cinedigm’s VPF agreements and ability to manage VPF collection.
Friday, April 3, marked the last day for Wayne Anderson as Managing Director of CBG. Bill Campbell now officially holds the volunteer position.