Aiming to upgrade the quality of the moviegoing experience, Regal Cineworld Group, the world’s second-largest cinema chain, and cinema tech giant Barco announced an expansive deal to install 4,000 Barco Series 4 laser projectors in the chain’s theaters across the U.S, U.K. and other European markets by 2030. Terms of the deal were not revealed.
“Through our commitment to provide the latest and most innovative technologies in our theaters, we are excited to expand our partnership with Barco through access to their state-of-the-art laser projectors,” said Eduardo Acuna, CEO of Regal Cineworld Group, in a released statement. “We continue to invest in our theaters with the overall goal of creating and delivering the best moviegoing experience for our guests.”
“We are excited to expand our relationship with Regal Cineworld and bring Laser by Barco to more moviegoers around the world,” added Gerwin Damberg, executive vice president of Barco Cinema. “Today’s audiences have high expectations for their entertainment experiences, and we look forward to delighting them with the stunning picture quality, high brightness, and crisp onscreen images that Barco laser projection is known for.” Laser projectors are also a more environment-friendly option compared with earlier xenon lamp-based digital cinema projectors.
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Barco and Regal Cineworld have a nearly 20-year history, starting in 2007 with installations of Barco’s Series 1 digital cinema projectors. The collaboration between the companies expanded in 2024 with three Regal Cineworld locations serving as pilot program sites for HDR by Barco, the tech developer’s premium cinema HDR projection offering.
“In 2024, our long-standing relationship with Regal Cineworld enjoyed a special milestone as together we premiered HDR by Barco to moviegoers in New York, Miami, and London. This [laser projection] deal further advances our shared ambition to deliver exceptional cinema experiences to global audiences,” said Casey Collins, Barco vice president of cinema sales for North America.