Studio deals extend digital cinema in Europe

May 26, 2008 In a move that could jumpstart the digital cinema transition in Europe, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios have signed virtual print fee-style agreements that could result in the rollout of 8,000 new digital cinema installations in 22 countries. The agreements have been reached with XDC, a Belgium-based digital cinema service company that is preparing a digital cinema deployment plan. Warners, Paramount, Fox and Disney have agreed to co-finance more than 65% of the value of digital exhibition systems for a estimated investment up to €600 million ($947 million) over a maximum 10 years from the point of installation.