Deluxe/EchoStar Signs Satellite Distribution Deal With Carmike Cinemas in U.S.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. and ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Deluxe/EchoStar LLC announced today that it has signed a deal with Carmike Cinemas (NASDAQ: CKEC), the fourth largest exhibitor in the U.S., for satellite distribution of content to Carmike's circuit of 239 theaters.  Carmike's digital cinema footprint reaches 2,103 screens in 36 states of which 596 have 3D capability.  

Satellite equipment installation will begin immediately and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.  Carmike's theatres are primarily located in communities across small-town America.  This new service will deliver 2D and 3D digital cinema prints in 2K and 4K formats, 2D and 3D alternative content, trailers, as well as connect to live events and other media programming.  The system also accommodates closed captioning, sub-titles, and gaming. Benefits include faster delivery of content by transmitting a movie in hours and a trailer in minutes, as well as reducing traditional freight costs associated with shipping hard drives to theaters.  

Carmike Cinemas President and CEO David Passman stated, "As one of the pioneers and earliest adopters of theatrical digital cinema presentation, Carmike is delighted to partner with Deluxe/EchoStar on this new venture. We look forward to providing our valued cinema-going customers with cutting-edge experiences featuring a tremendous array of digital content through this important, mutually beneficial agreement."

"Deluxe/EchoStar is committed to building a satellite distribution infrastructure so that exhibitors can connect to all forms of entertainment content including current releases, classic films, and live events," stated Rick O'Hare, Senior Vice President, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, and General Manager, Deluxe/EchoStar LLC.

"With Carmike Cinemas' dedication to presenting the best possible movie going experience for its patrons, I am pleased that we were chosen to be a part of that experience," adds John Wolski, Vice President, Exhibitor Services for Deluxe.

Formed in September 2010, Deluxe/EchoStar LLC is a joint venture between Deluxe Digital Cinema Inc., a subsidiary of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., and EchoStar Satellite Services, L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), building an advanced digital cinema satellite distribution network targeting delivery to digitally equipped theaters in the U.S. and Canada.  

About Deluxe/EchoStar LLC

Deluxe/EchoStar LLC is a joint venture between Deluxe Digital Cinema Inc., a subsidiary of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., and EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), building an advanced digital cinema satellite distribution network targeting delivery to digitally equipped theaters in the U.S. and Canada.  Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc., is the leading provider of a broad range of entertainment industry services and technologies to major Hollywood Studios and an international client base.  EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. is a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) and provides a reliable worldwide network available for aggregation and distribution of video, audio and data. For more information, go to www.bydeluxe.com and www.echostarsatelliteservices.com.

About Carmike Cinemas (www.carmike.com)

Carmike Cinemas, Inc. is a U.S. leader in digital cinema and 3-D cinema deployments and one of the nation's largest motion picture exhibitors.  As of December 31, 2010, Carmike had 239 theatres with 2,236 screens in 36 states.  Carmike's digital cinema footprint reached 2,103 screens, including 200 theatres with 596 screens that are also equipped for 3-D.  Carmike's focus for its theatre locations is small to mid-sized communities.

SOURCE Deluxe/EchoStar LLC; Carmike Cinemas