Scrabble Entertainment is rolling out an affordable lease-to-own digital conversion program for theater owners facing a tight deadline to convert to digital.
The program to deploy DCI-compliant digital cinema equipment is being financially supported by major Hollywood studios, who have announced that they will no longer distribute 35mm film prints as of the end of the year.
Among the Hollywood studios that have signed up so far are Warner Bros. Pictures, Walt Disney Motion Pictures, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox. Scrabble reports that it is also in advanced negotiations with Sony Pictures Releasing.
The program does not require any financial pre-qualifications or credit check of any kind. The lease term includes an option to buy the equipment at the end of the lease at no residual value.
“Scrabble Entertainment has enjoyed exceptional success in helping exhibitors convert to digital cinema in several countries, where we are responsible for 100% conversion of multiplexes covered by our programs,” said Ranjit Thakur, founder and CEO of Scrabble Entertainment. “We recognized the extraordinary financial pressures faced by many thousands of independent exhibitors, drive-in theatres, and art house theatres throughout the United States and Canada, which operate under tight budgets and could not easily afford the move to digital cinema technology. Working with preferred equipment suppliers and technical service providers, and with the financial support to be provided by the Hollywood studios under their respective agreements, we developed this flexible, lease-to-own program specifically tailored to accommodate the conversion of such screens to digital projection.”
Scrabble Entertainment has partnered with Christie Digital Systems, not only to supply equipment to the program, but also to include Christie Managed Services, which will provide remote monitoring and comprehensive maintenance, with round-the-clock support through Christie’s Network Operations Center (NOC), along with preventative servicing and on-site emergency response.
“Local theaters are often important cultural and social hubs in their communities, and it is vital that they continue to provide quality entertainment to moviegoers,” said George Scheckel, director of business development for entertainment solutions, Christie.
