RealD Reaches Out To CGR Cinemas: 200 Screen Deal
Jim here. RealD continues to dominate 3D deployment announcements with this latest one from France...
La Rochelle and Los Angeles (April 21, 2009) – CGR Cinemas, one of France’s leading exhibition chains, and RealD, the world’s leading outfitter of 3D-enabled theatres, announced today an exclusive partnership where CGR Cinemas will add RealD 3D capabilities to each of its 33 locations for a total of 200 RealD 3D-enabled screens. The result will be the largest 3D circuit in France. Installation of RealD technology will begin immediately and is expected to be complete by mid-year, with 4 to 6 RealD-equipped screens at each CGR Cinemas location.
“We are happy to be the precursors of new technology for French and European cinema by allying with the known world leader in 3D systems, RealD. This is another example of CGR Cinemas seizing opportunities first, which make it one of the pillars of French film exhibition today. This collaboration will allow us to take advantage of upcoming 3D films beginning with Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.” said Jocelyn Bouyssy, chief executive officer of CGR Cinemas.
“We’re excited to work with CGR Cinemas to bring the market-leading RealD 3D experience to all of their locations,” added Bob Mayson, managing director or RealD Europe Ltd. “Audiences are seeking a new and engaging cinema experience that CGR Cinemas and RealD together will provide through this agreement to build out the largest 3D circuit in France, and one of the biggest in Europe.”
RealD’s next-generation technology is deployed across the world’s largest 3D platform in more than 40 countries with over 8,000 screens under contract and over 2,600 RealD 3D screens worldwide today. A bright spot for the entertainment industry, RealD 3D is driving box office to the tune of three to four times per screen revenue of the same film on 2D screens.
About CGR Cinemas
Founded in 1974 by Mister Georges Raymond, CGR Cinemas is based in LaRochelle, France. Initially based in the southwest of France, CGR Cinemas worked in the development of multiplexes across the entire French territory. CGR Cinemas is the third largest exhibition chain and the first independent circuit in France with more than 17 million annual spectators. CGR Cinemas was also the first European group to equip itself with digital technology. Madame Nicole Raymond and her children, Luc and Charles Raymond, took over CGR Cinemas when founder George Raymond died. Jocelyn Bouyssy has worked at CGR Cinémas for the last 20 years and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the company. www.cgrcinemas.fr
About RealD
RealD is the global leader in 3D, bringing the most advanced and realistic digital 3D experience to cinemas worldwide. Beyond cinema, RealD is the worldwide inventor and provider of key stereoscopic technologies used in science, manufacturing, marketing, and other industries, with thirty years of scientific development behind its systems. RealD’s mission-critical 3D technologies are used by organizations such as NASA, Pfizer, BMW, Boeing and more. www.RealD.com
The key point here is that this installation will be COMPLETE by mid year giving a nice buffer between it and the release of AVATAR in December. I believe you will be seeing plenty of 3D deployment action this summer as the theater owners ramp up for what is sure to be the entertainment juggernaut of the year. I will be so bold as to say THE DARK KNIGHT and TITANIC could be looking in the rear view mirrors. I'm not kidding.
