CJ CGV IMAX(R) Theatres Open Strong in Korea
Leading Exhibitor in Korea Secures Top Ranking Multiplexes in the Country with The IMAX Experience(R)
First Multiplex-Based IMAX Theatres in Korea Draw Huge Crowds to See Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience
SEOUL, Korea, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX) and CJ CGV Co. Ltd., the leading exhibitor in Korea, today announced that Korea's first two multiplex-based IMAX(R) theatres opened to strong advance sales, sell-out crowds and impressive box office returns over the weekend. The CJ CGV IMAX theatres in Seoul and Incheon launched with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience on the same day as the film's wide release in conventional theatres on Thursday, December 1st and posted a combined box office of $114,000 in just four days. Additionally, the IMAX theatres are already reporting strong advance sales into next week. The successful openings reflect the increasing global appeal of Hollywood blockbusters that have been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R).
"We are very impressed by the early performance of our new IMAX theatres. The powerful IMAX brand generated very strong advance sales even before we opened our doors - and the consumer response to The IMAX Experience has been extremely positive," said D.H. Park, CEO of CJ CGV and CJ Entertainment. "Moviegoers are paying an average ticket price premium of 34% to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience and it has already translated into significant incremental revenue and attendance at two of our best locations. We look forward to continued success into the new-year, with IMAX's exciting film slate for 2006."
"Korea is a desirable growth market for IMAX and we are delighted with the initial success of the country's first two multiplex-based IMAX theatres," said Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEO's of IMAX Corporation. "The winning combination of CJ CGV's marketing expertise and the power of The IMAX Experience has captured the hearts of moviegoers in Korea, further validating the effectiveness of associating the IMAX brand with the country's largest and most successful exhibitor. We believe this mutually beneficial partnership bodes well for further growth in the country."
The opening of the CJ CGV IMAX theatres marks the first time that two commercial IMAX theatres have opened simultaneously in a single metropolitan area. Both theatres are equipped with IMAX MPX(R) technology, which enabled CJ CGV to cost effectively retrofit existing 35mm auditoriums with IMAX theatre systems to take advantage of Hollywood blockbusters presented in IMAX's powerful and immersive format.
About CJ CGV and CJ Entertainment
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CJ CGV has been the largest multiplex theater chain since opening Korea's first multiplex cinema in 1998. CJ CGV was established through a joint venture between CJ Entertainment, Hong Kong's Golden Harvest and Australia's Village Roadshow, which later was transferred as a joint venture between CJ Entertainment and Asia Cinema Holdings before going public in December 2004. CJ CGV has recently acquired Korea's fourth largest multiplex theater chain, Primus Cinema, to solidify its presence as the leading exhibitor. CJ CGV's vast theatre chain consists of a total of 444 screens at 58 sites across the nation, with CJ CGV operating 243 screens at 31 sites under the CGV brand and Primus Cinema operating 201 screens at 27 sites under Primus brand.
About IMAX Corporation
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Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX) is the newest distribution platform for Hollywood content and one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX delivers the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR(R) technology. IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) makes it possible for virtually any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences. As of September 30, 2005, there were 261 IMAX theatres operating in more than 38 countries.
IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), IMAX MPX(R) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com.
This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, the performance of films, the viability of new businesses and products, and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format and general commercial exhibition market. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and in the subsequent reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE IMAX Corporation
12/06/2005
CONTACT: Media: IMAX Corporation, New York, Romi Schutzer, (212) 821-0144, rschutzer@imax.com; Business Media: Sloane & Company, New York, Whit Clay, (212) 446-1864, wclay@sloanepr.com; Analysts: IMAX Corporation, New York, Cheryl Cramer, (212) 821-0121, ccramer@imax.com; Entertainment Media: Newman & Company, Los Angeles, Al Newman, (310) 278-1560, asn@newman-co.com
3737 12/06/2005 08:39 EST http://www.prnewswire.com