EchoStar Satellite Services has formed a joint venture with Deluxe Digital Cinema to build an advanced digital cinema satellite distribution network.
After some testing last year, the subsidiary of EchoStar Corp. and the unit of Deluxe Entertainment Service Group Inc. will establish a network catering to digitally equipped theaters in the U.S. and Canada.
With Deluxe as a worldwide provider of services in film and digital media to the entertainment industry and EchoStar's experience as a satellite services provider, Deluxe/EchoStar will be able to deliver traditional 2D and 3D feature films, live events, special content, and other programming to appropriately outfitted theaters.
"EchoStar Satellite Services has developed a strong partnership with Deluxe, one built on a common foundation of superior service and innovative thinking," said Dean Olmstead, president of EchoStar Satellite Services in announcing the joint venture. "Deluxe/EchoStar marks the next evolution in theatrical distribution and exhibition and gives distributors and movie theaters confidence in partnering with a proven digital cinema network."
"We began testing sites around the country with EchoStar about a year ago to determine how best to develop the network," said Cyril Drabinsky, president and CEO, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group. "The results confirmed that delivering feature films through our satellite network would provide optimum quality and reliability for our customers and present an open platform for easily accommodating a variety of digital delivery services."
