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UK Theaters To Ramp Up Security After Colorado Shootings; France Is Status Quo

By NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor | Friday July 20, 2012 @ 11:49am PDTTags: Odeon, The Dark Knight Rises

Reactions by exhibitors to this morning’s tragic shootings at a Dark Knight Rises screening in Colorado have varied in major European territories including the UK and France. Odeon, the largest chain in the UK and Ireland, said it would add “further operational procedures” to ensure safety in the aftermath of the events. The Dark Knight Rises rolls out today in 7 European territories including the UK, Ireland and Spain, where Odeon also operates. Regarding increased security measures, the company said: “Odeon take the safety and enjoyment of their guests very seriously and in light of the recent incident that took place in the States at a screening yesterday evening, Odeon will be continuing their vigilant safety measures and further operational procedures will be introduced to ensure a safe and quality service.” At London’s BFI IMAX theater, Dark Knight Rises screenings were sold out ahead of time to the tune of £1M+. Two screenings that were held early this morning, ie before news of the shootings had spread, were fully-attended. The BFI tells me that there was no noticeable effect on attendance at the one screening that’s happened since. As for safety measures, a spokesperson says, “As an essential London venue, we are constantly reviewing security.”

Related: President Obama: Government Will “Take Every Step Possible” To Ensure Safety

In France, where tonight’s red carpet premiere and all press interviews were cancelled, the film is released next Wednesday, July 25. For the moment, I understand there are no plans by exhibitors to increase security. An industry source tells me, “This is much more about American society and gun violence. In France, we are much more regulated.” The last substantial attack inside a French movie theater occurred in 1988 at a screening of Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation Of Christ when a group of Christian fundamentalists launched Molotov cocktails inside a Paris cinema injuring more than a dozen people. I’m told that for the moment there has been no call from the authorities, or from French exhibitors, to ramp up security next week.

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Global Showbiz Briefs: South Korea, UK

By NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor | Friday December 2, 2011 @ 12:51am PSTTags: ITV, ITV Studios, News of the World, Odeon

Five New TV Stations Debut In South Korea
Five new TV stations went on the air Thursday in South Korea bringing the number of South Korean broadcasters to nine. The government still owns three. The fifth new channel will show only news programs. The privately owned stations’ establishment is the result of President Lee Myung-bak’s effort to loosen the government’s grip on the media industry. Lee initially planned to sell two of the three government-owned TV stations to newspapers or other private owners. But workers at the stations, their unions and opposition party politicians balked. Instead, in a July 2009 vote marred by fist-fights, the National Assembly passed legislation to allow other news organizations to start new stations. The government awarded stations to four newspapers — three of which support Lee’s conservative government – and the Yonhap news agency. 

ITV Pairs With Producers For New Shingle
Camilla Campbell and Robert Wulff-Cochrane are partnering with ITV Studios in a new production company, Noho Film and TV. Campbell and Wulff-Cochrane have run the drama department of Britain’s Channel 4 for the past 2 years. Between them, they have 15 BAFTAs. The duo will begin development on new projects for Noho in the first semester of 2012 with an initial focus on scripted drama for young adult audiences. ITV is looking to augment its drama output and quickly get Noho up and running with a loaded production slate. Read More »

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Global Showbiz Briefs: UK, Ireland, Canada, Asia Pacific

By NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor | Friday November 25, 2011 @ 2:15pm PSTTags: Odeon, Sky

Odeon Becomes Largest All-Digital Cinema Chain In UK, Ireland
Exhibition giant Odeon has completed its digital rollout across the UK and Ireland. All of Odeon’s 890 screens have been enhanced with the company’s Digital 8000 HD system at a cost of … Read More »

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