3D Seen as Revenue Generator

Attendees of the 2009 NAB Digital Cinema Summit, “From Lens to Living Room,” produced by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and ETC, were seeing things in 3D.

The SMPTE recently announced the requirements for a stereoscopic 3D Home Master standard that will enable 3D feature films and other programming to be played on home television and computer displays, regardless of delivery channels.

The revenue-generating opportunities of 3D were front and center at the event, which also focused on other good news, including high-double-digit gains in first-week box-office sales, more weekday uptime in movie theaters, enriched gaming experiences, and pregame sellouts for major sports events.

SMPTE executive director Kimberly Maki said there are currently about 30 3D theatrical releases planned for distribution to digital cinema theaters globally in 2009, adding, “Movies released in 3-D generate two to three times the revenue of the same titles in 2D and, in some cases, as much as six times revenue of traditional 2D releases.”

Cinedigm Digital Cinema Media Services Group president Chuck Goldwater pointed out that live sports and concerts present 3D opportunities, as well.