Boeing has made an exit from one of its diversification ventures, selling the assets of Boeing Digital Cinema to New Jersey-based Access Integrated Technologies.
Launched in November 2000 as Cinema Connexion by Boeing, the venture pioneered the secure digital transmission of first-run films and live events to theatres by means of a satellite or fibre-optic link.
Boeing's Integrated Defence Systems business has sold the digital cinema equipment assets and will provide intellectual property licences to its technology to Access IT, and will support the transitioning of existing theatre contracts from Boeing Digital Cinema to the new owner.
Building on its satellite communications and encryption technology, Boeing launched the digital cinema venture under its strategy to diversify from aerospace into closely related businesses.
The company continues to invest heavily in its Connexion by Boeing airborne broadband communications service, but recently reabsorbed the Boeing Air Traffic Management business unit into its Phantom Works research and development organisation.
Source: Flight International
