Vivendi Signs Deal for All-Digital Short Films
Offering a look at the future of movie-watching, Vivendi Universal signed a deal with the high-tech arm of Regal Entertainment Group to create all-digital short films for the nation’s largest movie theater chain.
Denver-based Regal CineMedia Corp. will run the three-minute shorts on its new digital movie projection system starting this weekend in Los Angeles and 14 other markets.
Officials from Regal CineMedia and Vivendi declined to discuss financial details of the multiyear deal. However, advertising revenue from the deal will help Regal Entertainment defray some of the cost of retrofitting nearly 80% of its Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards movie theaters with digital projectors, high-speed data networking equipment and satellite links, said Cliff Marks, president of marketing for Regal CineMedia.
The Colorado company signed similar deals with AOL Time Warner Inc.’s Turner Broadcasting System earlier this month and with General Electric Co.’s NBC in October. None of the agreements will affect distribution deals for feature films, Marks said.
The digital programs include music videos, behind-the-scenes movie footage, Cartoon Network clips and highlights from the National Basketball Assn.
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