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World’s largest cinema operator inks deal to roll-out digital across China

The world's largest cinema operator has inked a deal with Christie to accelerate the rollout of digital projectors and immersive sound across China.

Wanda Cinema Line, a subsidiary of Wanda Group with 195 theaters and 1,732 movie screens in China as at July 2015, will install upwards of 1,500 Christie Solaria Series 2K and 4K digital cinema projectors, as well as the Christie Vive Audio solution in selected theaters, over three years.

Christie will establish 13 parts and service centres in China to meet the resulting needs of the rollout. 

Both parties will also continue to strengthen co-operation in training of their technical teams. 

Upon installation of the equipment, Wanda Cinema Line will have more than 3,500 Christie digital cinema projectors in use.

Wanda Cinema Line in China accounted for 14.2 percent of box office share nationwide in 2014. 

According to a company statment, Wanda Cinema is on track to lead in cinema market share in China with 2,300 screens in 260 theaters in 2016.

Wanda Cinema Line chief executive, Maojun Zeng, said it had been a pleasure working with Christie to date. 

"We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with this industry pioneer and ongoing visual solutions technology leader," he said.

"Together, we will provide high-quality, innovative shared experiences for Wanda’s customers.”

Christie Asia Pacific vice president, Lin Yu, said said the agreement was the result of the deep relationship that the two companies embarked on in 2009.

According to a company statement, both parties will continue to promote the technology, branding and market development of Wanda’s “Hall 9” auditoriums,  which gained momentum in 2014 when the first Christie Vive Audio cinema sound system in China was installed in Wanda Cinema Line’s Hall 9 auditorium at Beijing CBD Wanda Plaza in downtown Beijing. 

The installation comprises more than 50 Christie Vive Audio speakers of varying combinations, including LA3 screen channel speakers, S215 subwoofers (for full range frequency response), S218 for Low Frequency Effects (subwoofers) channels, LA3S and LA5S for wall surround, as well as LA3C and LA5C for ceiling surrounds. More Hall 9 Vive installations are planned. 

More of Wanda’s Hall 9 auditoriums will feature Christie 4K digital cinema projectors, which produce, high resolution visuals, using either Christie’s Xenon-lamp based models or its DCI compliant Christie CP42LH 6P laser projector. 

Established in 2005, Wanda Cinema Line is a subsidiary of Wanda Group. 

As at July 31, 2015, Wanda Cinema has operated 195 theaters in over 100 cities nationwide, with 1,732 projection screens, of which more than 120 are IMAX screens. 

Since 2014, Wanda Cinema Line has accelerated its pace of growth, and is expected to operate 260 theaters and over 2,300 screens in 2016.

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