• Nearly 70 digitally enabled cinemas enjoy live HD opera performances
• HD SNG truck deployed by Arqiva for on-location uplink
• At least six performances will be distributed in 2008

Arqiva in Italy has today announced it is successfully delivering live HD (High Definition) opera performances from Italy and Spain to cinema audiences across Europe. Arqiva has already distributed three performances including 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia' from La Fenice theatre in Venice, 'L'Orfeo' from the Teatro Real de Madrid, and most recently 'Samson and Delilah' from the Teatro Comunale in Bologna, Italy on 6 June 2008. This performance was viewed by audiences in nearly 70 cinemas in Spain, France, Belgium, Poland, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Arqiva's Italy facility, based in Rome, provides HD SNG (Satellite News Gathering) trucks which uplink the programme feeds onto 27MHz bandwidth of its satellite capacity. Arqiva also provides HD technical support and assists with test transmissions. At least three further HD events will be distributed by Arqiva in 2008.

Barrie Woolston, Commercial Director at Arqiva's Satellite Media Solutions division, added: "Digital Cinema presents exciting new opportunities to live event organisers and exhibitors. It not only gives event organisers access to a truly global audience, but can also significantly drive revenues across an exhibitor's network as viewing alternative content on the big screen continues to grow in popularity. Arqiva has considerable experience in the live broadcast of alternative content to digitally enabled cinemas and we are pleased to be involved in the continued growth of this important new medium."

John Bozza, Director of sales at Arqiva's Satellite Media Solutions division, commented: "We are delighted to be bringing the live opera experience to audiences all across the continent. Digital Cinema demands the superior quality of High Definition pictures and, with an art form where sound quality is at a premium, the use of Dolby Digital 5.1 sound creates a truly breath-taking experience."

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