BEIJING, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- IMAX Corporation and Broadway Theatre Company Ltd. (Broadway) yesterday announced two agreements to install a total of four digital IMAX® theatre systems into new multiplexes across Greater China, bringing Broadway's total IMAX commitment to six theatres. With today's agreements, there are 217 IMAX® theatres open or contracted to open in Greater China.
Under the terms of the agreements, the first two systems are scheduled to open at Yoho Town, Hong Kong, and in Wenzhou, China in 2013. Broadway currently operates an IMAX theatre in Hangzhou with another set to open by the end of this year at iapm in Puxi, Shanghai.
"The success of our first IMAX theatre in Hangzhou has demonstrated the great enthusiasm our patrons have for The IMAX Experience, which is a key differentiator in our business," said Ms. Tessa Lau, Executive Director of Broadway. "We look forward to offering the world's most immersive movie experience to more of our customers with these four new locations."
"Broadway's Hangzhou IMAX theatre has generated approximately $2.4 million in box office since its opening in August 2010, underscoring the appetite among Chinese moviegoers for IMAX and the results we can deliver for our exhibition partners," said Jiande Chen, CEO of IMAX China. "We are pleased to build on our partnership with Broadway as we continue to expand our network in China."
"With today's announcement, we're not only expanding our network in China, but we are also reinforcing our commitment to presenting Chinese blockbuster movies in the IMAX format by forging stronger ties with an important creative force in the industry," said Don Savant, IMAX Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific. "Broadway is a strategic partner for IMAX that is led by Bill Kong, an executive producer of many blockbuster films such as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon."
IMAX's digital projection system delivers The IMAX Experience® and helps drive profitability for studios, exhibitors and IMAX theatres by eliminating the need for film prints, increasing program flexibility and ultimately increasing the number of movies shown on IMAX screens. The system can run both IMAX and IMAX® 3D presentations.