Continuity in Technological Change: A Political Economic Analysis of Digital Film Exhibition

• Main Author: Birkinbine, Benjamin J
• Format: Others
• Published: OpenSIUC 2010
• Subjects: Capitalism; Digital Cinema; Film; History; Political Economy; Technology
• Online Access: https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/252; https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1259&context=theses

This thesis analyzes the current transition to digital cinema projection technologies within the film exhibition business. I begin by discussing two historical cases of technological change in film exhibition technology, and I identify the corporations that successfully controlled periods of technological change in order to solidify their position atop the film industry. In drawing from these historical case studies, I examine the current transition to digital cinema projection technologies by discussing the structure of the film exhibition business and identifying those exhibitors that are controlling the transition to digital cinema. I find that the top three exhibitors - Regal Cinemas, AMC Entertainment, and Cinemark - are controlling digital cinema through two joint ventures: Digital Cinema Implementation Partners (DCIP), and National CineMedia (NCM).