Movies From Space!

Written by: Nick Adde (Space News Correspondent)

Program Tests Satellite Delivery of Digital Films to Theaters

WASHINGTON — The shift to direct digital transmission of first-run movies from Hollywood to movie theaters across the country via satellite took a step forward when Microspace Communications Corp., of Raleigh, N.C., reached a deal to distribute movies to theaters owned by Carmike Cinemas of Columbus, Ga., the nation’s fourth-largest theater chain.

As part of a pilot program, Microspace will install satellite and server equipment in more than 200 Carmike theaters, making it possible for digital satellite transmissions to reach more than 2,000 screens, Microspace officials said. Neither Carmike nor Microspace would divulge the cost of the agreement.

The deal, reached on March 7, will enable Carmike, already the biggest user of digital technology in the movie theater business, to accept films from more Hollywood studios. Carmike entered the deal with Microspace because some studios have preferences as to which satellite delivery company they use, said Tony Reed, senior vice president at Carmike.

Carmike has had a deal in place with Access IT of Morristown, N.J., since March 2004, to receive digital transmissions of movies directly via satellite.

Of Carmike’s 2,447 total screens in 289 theaters, 1,711 screens in 85 theaters are set up for digital, Reed said.

“Access IT, to date, has delivered films to Carmike theaters from Buena Vista, Universal and a couple of others,” he said.

Read Nick’s entire article at SPACE.com.