Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. announced today that Marquee Cinemas has signed on as their most recent customer for their Digital Cinema equipment.

No time-frame is mentioned in the press release (below), but it quotes the President of Marquee Cinemas:

Curtis McCall, President of Marquee Cinemas, said: “We believe digital cinema is the future of movie theatres. It provides not only opportunity to deliver a better quality product to our audiences, but also more variety. The ability to eliminate 35mm film and provide a digital presentation is just another step that keeps Marquee on the cutting edge of technology and delivery for our customers. The flexibility inherent in digital cinema will enable us to take advantage of alternative content programming options appropriate to our local audiences. The incremental revenue from advertising will enable us to continue to invest in a better theatre-going experience for all of our patrons.”

For more information about Digital Cinema, and why it's probably good if it's coming to a theater near you, read our Help document "What is Digital Cinema Projection?" 

Press Release

Marquee Cinemas Signs Comprehensive Digital Deployment and Pre-Show Programming Deal with AccessIT

AccessIT Digital Cinema Deployment Steadily Moving toward 4,000 Screen Commitments

May 14, 2007 07:30 AM Central Daylight Time

MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. (“AccessIT”) (NASDAQ:AIXD) today announced that Marquee Cinemas will be the tenth chain to convert 153 megaplex screens to digital cinema using AccessIT’s Theatre Command CenterTM software, pre-show programming and Christie DLP Cinema® projectors. The completion of this contract brings AccessIT’s Digital Cinema Program (formerly named Christie/AIX) to a total of 3,455 screens committed of the 4,000 in the Christie/AIX plan.

Marquee is the tenth chain and the fifth customer of AccessIT’s Advertising and Creative Services Division to contract with AccessIT for deployment.

Curtis McCall, President of Marquee Cinemas, said: “We believe digital cinema is the future of movie theatres. It provides not only opportunity to deliver a better quality product to our audiences, but also more variety. The ability to eliminate 35mm film and provide a digital presentation is just another step that keeps Marquee on the cutting edge of technology and delivery for our customers. The flexibility inherent in digital cinema will enable us to take advantage of alternative content programming options appropriate to our local audiences. The incremental revenue from advertising will enable us to continue to invest in a better theatre-going experience for all of our patrons.”

Chuck Goldwater, President of AccessIT’s Media Services Group, commented: “Marquee Cinemas is another outstanding regional exhibitor with the foresight to recognize the benefits of digital cinema today. AccessIT is very pleased to have them as our newest partner and we look forward to working with them to help enhance their business especially with our PreFlix screen advertising and our Bigger Picture division’s alternative content programming.”

Craig Sholder, Vice-President of Entertainment Solutions, Christie USA, added: “Marquee Cinemas commitment is a great endorsement to the viability of Digital Cinema. As a progressive company with clear vision, Marquee will benefit tremendously from the operational flexibility and revenue-generating opportunities that Digital Cinema has to offer. We look forward to working closely together and to supporting their long-term development plans.”

AccessIT Digital Cinema is the industry-leading deployment program for digital cinema that provides the funding, operations and administration for the company’s studio-supported 4,000-screen digital cinema rollout plan supported by major studios and independent distributors, among others -- and exhibitors who receive turnkey, Digital Cinema systems in conformance with DCI specifications, including AccessIT’s unique Library Management Server® and Theatre Command Center® software, Christie 2K DLP Cinema® projectors and Doremi’s DCP2000 JPEG server. To date, AccessIT has contracted to install more than 3,400 systems in forty-one states and has completed the rollout of more than 2,600 screens with exhibitors including Neighborhood Cinema Group, Celebration! Cinema, Cinema West, Cinetopia, Emagine, UltraStar, Galaxy, Rave and Carmike Cinemas and AccessIT’s own Pavilion Digital Showcase Cinema.

Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. (AccessIT) is the industry leader in providing fully integrated software and services to enable the motion picture entertainment industry and all of its constituents to transition from film to digital cinema. Its studio-backed 4,000-screen ongoing deployment of digital systems is the first and the largest of its kind in the world. The company’s Theatrical Distribution System software and electronic satellite delivery services provide studios and content owners with a seamless entry into the digital era while its vendor-neutral Library Management Server, Theatre Command Center and Exhibitor Management System provide exhibitors with all the tools needed to transition to digital cinema. Access Integrated Technologies® and AccessITTM are trademarks of Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. For more information on AccessIT, visit www.accessitx.com. AIXD-G

Christie is a leader in visual solutions for world-class organizations, offering diverse applications for business, entertainment and industry. A leading innovator in film projection since 1929 and a pioneer in projection systems since 1979, Christie has established a global reputation as a total service provider and the world’s single-source manufacturer of a variety of display technologies and solutions. Christie offers comprehensive solutions for cinema, large audience venues, control rooms, business presentations, training facilities, 3D and Virtual Reality, simulation, and education, as well as industrial and government environments. Christie solutions are used in over 75,000 locations worldwide, including more than 10,000 projectors and displays networked with ChristieNET™ networking devices. For more information on Christie’s cinema solutions and to find a theatre with Christie Digital Cinema projectors, visit www.christiedigital.com.

Marquee Cinemas is the 29th largest theatre circuit in the US according to the National Association of Theatre Owners and currently operates 166 screens at 18 locations in 9 states. Based in Beckley, WV, Marquee also has a new 10-screen location scheduled to open by July 1st in Toms River, NJ. In business since 1979, Marquee has spent the last few years rebuilding their circuit and currently 88% of their screens offer stadium seating and 91% have digital sound. Only 4 of their 18 locations are over 10 years old and 10 locations are less than 5 years old. Their new facilities offer a vibrant Art Deco design, high-back rocking chair seating and Dolby Digital Sound. Marquee has over 500 employees and you may visit their web site at www.marqueecinemas.com.

DLP Cinema® is a registered trademark of Texas Instruments Inc.

Source: Access Integrated Technologies, Inc.