Over 2,400 digital screens were installed across Europe in the period September to end December 2011 bringing the active digital screen base to over 18,500 as at Q4 2011. It was also the third consecutive quarter more 2D screens were installed than 3D, following 3D's usurping as the main driver of roll-out, a trend first set in motion in Q2 2011. Q4 also marked the turning point for European screens which became majority digital. There are now 16 territories with the majority of screens digitised, up from 11 in Q3
Over 2,400 digital screens were installed across Europe in the period to end December 2011 bringing the active digital screen base to over 18,500 as at Q4 2011. It was also the third consecutive quarter more 2D screens were installed than 3D, following 3D's usurping as the main driver - a trend first set in motion in Q2 2011.
3D screens now account for over 61 per cent of total European d-screens, a penetration which has continued to fall from a high of 74.5 per cent at end 2010 as the wider 2D roll out driven by VPF contract signatures is now leading momentum. Average digital screen penetration hit 52 per cent in total Europe as at Q4 2011, up from 45 per cent just three months prior with high levels of activity reported in both Western and C E European territories. There are now 16 territories with the majority of screens digitised, up from 11 in Q3. A total of 13 territories in Western Europe now have over 50 per cent of screens converted including for the first time Finland, Ireland and Switzerland. The fourth quarter of 2011 was also notable for a number of key circuits attaining full digital capacity lead by largest UK circuit Odeon, plus two further key circuits in France, as well as Italy, are rapidly approaching this benchmark.