Turner Broadcasting System Inc. and Regal CineMedia Corp. jointly announced
Tuesday that they have forged a programming and marketing alliance.
Under terms of the deal -- announced by TBS president of
general-entertainment networks Bradley Siegel and RCM president of marketing and
sales Cliff Marks -- Turner will supply short-form entertainment content culled
from such networks as Cartoon Network, Turner Network Television and Turner
Classic Movies to Regal's chain of movie theaters.
Regal now is deploying a state-of-the-art digital-content network to 375
theaters covering 43 of the top 52 markets. That process will continue through
the end of 2003. Regal plans to have digital-distribution capability via 4,400
theater screens, plus 1,400 42-inch plasma screens in its theater lobbies, by
year's end.
During the first quarter alone, Regal said it expects to launch its
digital-content network in 12 markets (including nine of the top 10).
NBC is another partner that will provide content to the Regal theater chain
to be shown prior to feature films.
