Links - CBC News Consumer Life Cineplex suggests 3D spor - North River Minor Hockey Association

CBC News Consumer Life Cineplex suggests 3D sports screenings under expansion plan News Sports Entertainment Radio TV My Region Member Centre Login Sign UpCharlottetown Change City1c Mostly CloudyTomorrow11c A few flurries Consumer LifeHome World Canada BC Calgary Edmonton Saskatchewan Manitoba Thunder Bay Sudbury Windsor Toronto Ottawa Montreal NB PEI NS NL North Politics Health Arts & Entertainment Music Film Television Books Media Art & Design Theatre Technology & Science Money Consumer Life Diversions Weather Your Voice Story Tools EMAIL PRINT Text Size S M L XL REPORT TYPO SEND YOUR FEEDBACK Cineplex suggests 3D sports screenings under expansion planLast Updated Wednesday May 13 2009 331 PM ET The Canadian Press Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund Canadas biggest movie exhibitor will expand its 3D offerings this summer with an eye to a future that could include threedimensional screenings of professional sports games in theatres across the countryThe company plans to install 161 new digital projectors in 72 of its theatres by the end of June 122 of which will be 3D capable Cineplex executive vicepresident Dan McGrath said Wednesday at the companys annual shareholder meetingHe said the film industrys planned conversion to digital projectors was delayed by tight credit markets caused by the financial crisis in late 2008 but Cineplex decided to move ahead with some digital conversions in order to capitalize on a great slate of 3D filmsCineplex president and chief executive Ellis Jacob said alreadyreleased 3D movies like Monsters vs Aliens have been hugely successful and he expects this trend to continue with new movies like Up and Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs this summerMonsters vs Aliens which opened at the end of March is still playing in theatres and to date has grossed over $190 million in North American box office Ellis saidThis is indicative of the results we have seen with 3D films so far outperforming traditional 2D films by a ratio of close to four times This added longevity in theatres combined with the $3 3D price premium is great for our box officeMcGrath said the 3D experience doesnt have to be limited to films and it also presents tremendous growth potential in terms of attendance onscreen advertising and alternative content programmingWe see a future where NBA basketball NFL football NHL hockey and other professional sports are regularly presented in 3D in our theatres he addedRecord 1stquarter results for attendance box officeCineplex has said in the past that economic downturns are good for the movie business Its firstquarter results which represented a record for attendance box office concession and total revenues seemed to confirm thisMcGrath said the company sees significant longterm growth opportunities given the tremendous strength and targeting power of the mediumAt the end of ...