Qube and Scrabble bring electronic movie delivery to the Middle East with WireTAP installations at theatres across 14 countries

75% of the region’s deliveries will go electronic by the end of 2020

Qube Cinema and Scrabble Entertainment are happy to announce that they have brought electronic delivery to movie theatres in the Middle East with the installation of Qube’s WireTAP. The WireTAP is a cloud-connected, in-theatre appliance that allows automated delivery of DCPs and KDMs directly over the internet. Exhibitors currently connected to the network include VOX Cinemas, Cinema City, Flix Cinemas, Roxy Cinemas, Mukta A2, Reel Cinemas, Cine Royal Cinemas, Oscar Cinemas, Empire Cinemas, CineCo, Star Cinemas, Cinepolis, Muvi Cinemas and other Independents. Over 60% of theatres in the region are already equipped with WireTAPs, with the remaining locations including Novo Cinemas expected to be covered in the coming months.

Most of the region was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of the year, but distributors have used the network to deliver big tentpoles and library titles across the region as theatres have reopened. Now, more than ever, distributors and exhibitors appreciate that electronic delivery is automatic and contact free with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

Speaking of their satisfaction with the success of the electronic deliveries, Cameron Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment said, “Majid Al Futtaim has always remained at the forefront of innovation regionally, continually embracing new technologies to allow VOX Cinemas to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Qube WireTAP is a revolutionary technology for the distribution of digital cinema packages (DCPs) and, VOX Cinemas has successfully integrated the platform across four of our markets. We see the electronic delivery system as having numerous benefits to allow seamless movie distribution to our theatres regionally.”

Qube and Scrabble are particularly proud of the electronic delivery of movies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), as theatres in the country have only recently been permitted to operate commercially. Qube Wire has helped enable rapid modernization and expansion of cinema in the KSA. Currently, 75% of KSA theatres are connected to Qube Wire, as well as the country’s censor board, the General Commission on Audiovisual Media (GCAM).

Qube Wire allows distributors to book and monitor content delivery in real-time. Qube Wire electronically delivers movies to most locations in under 8 hours, and certified, regional hard drive partners can deliver

hard drives to locations that are not yet connected to our electronic network. The whole process is simple, fast, and secure.

Speaking of how the service adds value to the current challenges, Nigel Dennis, Senior Vice President, Sales says, “We have tried to take advantage of the time that the pandemic has given us to work on ways to bring about a real change in the way content is moved. So far, studios and distributors of all sizes have been really happy with our service, and we’ll continue soliciting their feedback to improve how we work together in future.”

About Qube Wire

Qube Wire is a self-service, single-window system for global theatrical distribution. With a simple yet comprehensive user interface, distributors can manage their digital cinema assets, assign territorial rights for their content and have their Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) and keys (aka Key Delivery Messages or KDMs) delivered to movie theatres across the world. Theatres can manage their own digital cinema device details and access their Universal Inbox on the Qube Wire service as well.

To sign up for the Qube Wire service, visit www.qubewire.com.

About Qube Cinema: Qube Cinema (www.qubecinema.com) is a pioneer in crafting end-to-end digital cinema technology and solutions.

Drawing on decades of experience in the cinema business, Qube provides a seamless digital environment across the industry right from filmmakers and post-production companies to exhibitors with DCI compliant products to moviegoers.

Qube’s products are used in every step of the filmmaking and exhibition process.

Qube Cinema’s portfolio of products are powerful, flexible, reliable, and cost-effective, and include Qube Wire, a service for global content distribution; Qube XP, fourth generation DCI compliant digital cinema servers; QubeMaster, a family of digital cinema mastering software solutions; iCount, a camera-based occupancy measurement solution; Slydes, a system that automatically creates just-in-time Digital Cinema Packages; Cheers, a web service for movie audiences that offers personalized greetings cards on the big screen; Justickets, a cloud-based SaaS ticketing solution; and Moviebuff, a website and mobile apps for accurate movie information. The Qube product line is well established globally, with thousands of installations across 50 countries.

Qube’s service offerings are constantly evolving to cater to the needs of the global cinema business.

Qube has digital cinema operations in over 4,000 screens (42%) across India, masters over 1,800 movies per year across 6 locations in India and the UAE, designs and delivers the most cost-efficient Premium Large Format screens under its EPIQ brand, and operates a patented advertising network for central control of advertising with local control of movie selection as the Qube Cinema Network (QCN).

About Scrabble Entertainment: Scrabble Entertainment (www.scrabbleentertainment.com) is India & Middle East’s leading provider of end-to-end Digital Cinema Solutions. Established in 2007, we were the first Digital Cinema Deployment Entity doing DCI Complaint rollout in India & Middle East.

We have deployed over 4000* Digital Cinema Screens across India, Middle East, Mexico and USA.

Scrabble services also include content processing and delivery solutions for Producers and Distributors with its state- of-the-art facilities across India, UAE & Saudi Arabia.

About VOX Cinemas: VOX Cinemas is the cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and is the Middle East’s most innovative and customer-focused exhibitor. With 536 screens across more than 30 locations in eight markets, it is also the Middle East’s largest and most rapidly growing exhibitor.

Customer experience is a key pillar at Majid Al Futtaim and, VOX Cinemas is continuously innovating and investing in new concepts to ensure that guests enjoy a world-class and immersive experience. It was the first cinema in the region to introduce IMAX with Laser, 4DX, a multisensory movie-watching concept, KIDS, a unique cinema concept for little movie fans and THEATRE and GOLD, luxury cinema experiences that combines fine food and film. VOX Cinemas has also introduced Distraction-Free Screenings and OUTDOOR open-air cinema, as part of its ongoing commitment to diversify its offering in line with guest feedback and emerging trends.

www.voxcinemas.com