An initiative of the EU MEDIA
Programme with the support of the Italian Government
Since 1992 MEDIA Salles has been promoting the European cinema and its circulation at theatrical level |
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Milan, 18 October 2007 PRESS RELEASE The world’s digital screens are now over
the 4,000 mark, whilst the growth of multiplexes in Europe slows down,
following a 2006 that totalled 999 million European spectators (+4.6%
compared to 2005). In June 2006 there were 1,354 digital screens throughout
the world equipped with DLP CinemaTM technology. Now - at 30 June 2007
- MEDIA Salles “photographs” a figure that has more than
tripled: 4,205 with an increase over 12 months that is nearing 211%. The gap with Europe widens, though the latter also grows by 165%, with an increase from 262 to 694 digital screens, as well as with Asia, the pioneer continent in the adoption of digital technology where, from 2006 to 2007, the figures have remained almost unchanged (from 309 to 360 screens). Still on the subject of infrastructures, the MEDIA Salles European Cinema Yearbook documents the situation of multiplexes – complexes with at least 8 screens – in Europe: between 1 January 2006 and 1 January 2007 the figure rose from 1,031 to 1,081, for a total of respectively 11,072 and 11,612 screens. The growth trend is confirmed but at a slower rate: +4.9% compared to the +5.4% of the previous twelve months. 2006 is a positive year in terms of audiences, too, which touch on the one billion mark (+4.6% compared to 2005) in the 34 countries recorded in the Yearbook. The 19 countries of Western Europe reveal an average
increase of around 2.6% in the number of tickets sold, from 833.3 to
855.2 million. A better year than 2005, then, but not for everyone.
Of the 5 leading European markets, France (188 million spectators, +8.3%
compared to 2005) and Germany (136.7 million spectators, +7,4%) register
growth.
MEDIA Salles, a project operating within the framework of the European Union's MEDIA Programme, with the support of the Italian Government, fosters theatrical distribution of European audiovisual products, both by high profile campaigns involving Europe's cinema exhibitors and by initiatives to raise the visibility of European productions with industry players and potential audiences, creating specialized information channels on a global scale. Thus the current initiatives from MEDIA Salles dovetail in a program with a triple focus – training, promotion and information – and maximum combined effect. MEDIA Salles |