ScreenPlus, Vista Group partner on exhibitor VOD product
by Screen Daily
April 8, 2020
By John Barnett
As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic keeps theatres closed, technology company ScreenPlus has announced an exclusive partnership with cinema software specialist Vista Group to enable exhibitors to launch bespoke VOD platforms.
Starting this week and promoted by Vista Group, the partnership will launch the VOD solution in every major territory. The product will combine what ScreenPlus said was its studio-grade piracy protection and digital rights management with Vista Group’s cinema operations, management, loyalty, and marketing systems.
Developed by parent company Shift72, ScreenPlus most recently worked with SXSW on a secure viewing platform for press and industry. Clients include CPH:DOX, which went virtual last month using the ScreenPlus technology.
Shift72 has also powered leading markets for several years including Cannes Marché du Film and the AFM.
Vista Group currently services more than 50% of major global cinema chains through its software and technology solutions. They include: Regal Theatres and Landmark Theatres in the US, Cineplex in Canada, Cineworld Cinemas, Odeon Cinemas, Curzon Cinemas and Vue Entertainment in the UK, Hoyts Cinemas in Australia and New Zealand, Lumiere Pavilions in China, Ster-Kinekor in South Africa, and Mars Cinema Group in Turkey.
ScreenPlus director John Barnett said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce this partnership with Vista Group. ScreenPlus is a market-leading platform that connects people with their favorite local cinemas, enabling them to watch new releases through the portal of their cinema, but at home. The cinemas have lost out as a result of the current Covid-19 crisis, but this will potentially generate additional revenue and retain the relationships exhibitors have with their customers.”
Vista Group Founder and chief product officer Murray Holdaway said: “We have been working with Shift72 to bring the ScreenPlus solution to our exhibition customers for some time. The outbreak of Covid-19 has seen us accelerate the release of the product to the exhibition market.
“The templated nature of the solution, which is SaaS-based [software as a service], enables us to stand up customised VOD sites for our customers in very short time frames. Shift72’s technology and delivery are world-class, and we are excited to put exhibitors in the driving seat, creating new offerings they can provide to their customers.”
Read original article here.
Feature Image credits belong to Vista Group/ScreenPlus.