Ster-Kinekor Theatres has announced the complete digital conversion of all its screens across South Africa. A deal with Arts Alliance Media (AAM) will see Ster-Kinekor’s estate of more than 400 screens converted to digital within the next 12 months.
South Africa’s biggest movie exhibitor and one of the world’s leaders in digital cinema are currently working together to establish the optimum equipment configuration for the new installations and the rollout is expected to begin shortly. In addition to digital cinema hardware, all of Ster-Kinekor’s 59 sites will be installed with AAM’s proprietary TMS software, Screenwriter, to efficiently manage all digital screens and content.
Chief Executive Officer of Ster-Kinekor Theatres, Fiaz Mahomed, said, “Converting to digital is a critical step in the progression of Ster-Kinekor Theatres as we continue to grow our business and continue to lead South Africa’s movie exhibition industry. It is also critical in meeting the very real demand from our valued audiences in seeing the best content on offer in an all-consuming, all entertaining environment. This is an evolving sector and we are committed to continuously improving the consumer experience.
“We’re delighted to announce this deal with AAM – we’ve seen their experience in Europe and are looking forward to their expertise in helping us become 100% digital. The investment into the digital conversion in our cinemas will mean rapid, and in certain instances instantaneous, release of movie titles as well as alternative content such as sporting events and live concerts.
“The benefits to the consumer are the most exciting part of the project for us as this rollout will result in more 3D content being screened, superior picture quality, new genres of film content and closer alignment of local release dates with international ones.
The move is also in line with a host of innovative developments. At the beginning of this year for example saw the opening of the luxurious and very popular Cine Prestige in Rosebank and more recently edutainment for kids in the form of Cinema Park. We are also at the forefront of online developments with the launch of our recent mobi-site (www.sterkinekor.mobi) and Ster-Kinekor mobile Apps for ease of access to information and online bookings. We are also consistently updating new innovative benefits for our Movie Club Card members. All to meet consumer demand and giving our customers a superior cinema experience,’ concludes Mahomed.
Chief Executive Officer of Arts Alliance Media, Howard Kiedaisch said, “With AAM’s market-leading experience in Europe, and having recently confirmed our international expansion to Latin America with our announcement of a VPF deal with Sony Pictures, we see South Africa as another key territory where a VPF program could bring tremendous value and Ster-Kinekor is a fantastic first partner to be working with’.
AAM’s Director of Business Development and Commercial Operations, Giovanni Dolci, added, “We have been working closely with Fiaz and his team to devise a solution that would meet Ster-Kinekor’s needs and we are thrilled to announce this deal to support their digital conversion. Ster-Kinekor is one of the global leaders in cinema and we look forward to working with them to continue to advance digital cinema in South Africa.’
