IMAX to open another 15 cinemas in China

Afp
Wednesday 22 September 2010 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

IMAX Corp said it has teamed up with a South Korean cinema chain to open 15 big-screen theatres in China, marking the Canadian company's single biggest deal in Asia.

IMAX signed an agreement with a subsidiary of South Korea's CJ CGV Co Ltd, which already operates five IMAX theatres in South Korea, to install the digital theatre systems in China, the Candian firm said on its website Monday.

CJ CGV will install two IMAX theatres next year, with the rest to be completed by 2015, the statement said, without identifying the locations for the new cinemas.

The two companies will share the box-office receipts from the cinemas.

The deal brings the total number of IMAX theatres scheduled to open in China - the company's second-largest market - to 96, the statement said. There are currently more than 20 IMAX theatres in operation in the country.

IMAX has signed agreements with Guangzhou Jinyi Film & Television Group to open 12 IMAX cinemas in China that are to be completed by year's end, the China Daily reported last month.

It has also signed deals with a private movie exhibitor and a cinema chain operator to install at least six 3D IMAX theatre systems in more than four cities by 2012, the paper said.

In June, the company announced a partnership with Chinese studio Huayi Bros Media Corp to produce three IMAX-formatted movies, it added.

China's box office take in the first half of 2010 - driven by international smash hit "Avatar" - reached 4.84 billion yuan (714 million dollars), up 86 percent from the same period last year, official figures showed.

Officials predict box office receipts will reach 10 billion yuan for all of 2010, compared to less than one billion yuan in 2003.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

"Avatar" - one of several 3D blockbusters to hit cinemas this year - is now China's all-time box office champion, grossing 1.3 billion yuan.

IMAX, which specialises in immersive motion picture technologies, operates more than 445 theatres in 47 countries, according to its website.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in