January 2009

• Bring on the 3-D. 2009 began with the widest introduction of 3-D yet. Sports, movies, advertisements — on-screen, and on television:- BCS (American) football on 150 screens
  - Lionsgate’s My Bloody Valentine 3D
  - Super Bowl 3-D ads on television
  - NBC announces the first ever 3-D television episode: “Chuck” in 3-D

• DCIP digs in. Regal and Cinemark reassign digital projectors to 3-D screens, while WB claims DCIP needs all 6 studios to qualify for financing.

• Paramount offers the “Katzenberg” VPF deal. Recognizing that a large number of exhibitors want to bypass system integrators, Paramount publicly offers a direct VPF deal, including financing for a single 3-D screen.

• Texas Instruments reorganizes and shoots 3-D in the foot. Attempting to capture on the success of 3-D, TI introduces a disastrous and poorly executed licensing program for its 3-D technology. In doing so, TI revealed a lot about its troubles.

• NATO releases v2.1 System Requirements, holds meeting with vendors and integrators, and solves its problem in CBG. In a follow-up to its June meeting, NATO members review the changes in v2.1 Digital Cinema System Requirements, and introduce standards-based closed captions. Working closely with Cinedigm, CBG finds a solution in weekly VPF fees.

• Technicolor Digital Cinema throws in the towel. With little fanfare, Technicolor announces it will sell off its system integration business, including its TMS.

• Mark Cuban buys stake in Carmike, Michael Patrick steps aside. In a stealth move, Cuban buys 9.4% of Carmike, possessing a majority of the digital cinema screens in the US. Old school and new school collide, and Michael Patrick steps down as CEO.

• Screenvision and MSNBC team up to broadcast Obama Inauguration in 27 theatres.

• GDC installs 1000th server, signs up 300 additional Chinese cinemas.

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