Christie announced that Great Escapes Theatres purchased 174 Christie digital cinema, projectors, which utilize Texas Instruments’(TI) (NYSE:TXN) DLP Cinema® technology. The 14th largest theater chain in North America, Great Escape has already installed twelve Christie projectors to support the premiere of “Avatar� in 3D; the rest will be in place before the summer. The chain also contracted Christie Managed Services for round-the-clock support and maintenance.

As one of the fastest growing and most successful movie chains in the country, Great Escapes Theatres focuses on the mid-sized markets with populations from 100,000 to 400,000. The chain currently operates 277 screens at 24 sites in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia, with 28 screens currently under construction for 2010.

Anne Ragains, President & CEO, and a driving force behind the theaters’ remarkable growth, is proud to note that their theaters always become a point of destination that spurs economic growth and development in surrounding neighborhoods.

“Great Escapes has had tremendous success serving the underserved communities that larger chains often overlook,� she said.

Chance Ragains, COO of Great Escapes Theatres, remarked: “Our corporate philosophy has been simple and effective – build a quality, cost efficient movie theatre in underserved markets and the audience will come. As part of our strategy, selecting Christie means we can serve our markets with the industry-acclaimed projection systems that deliver the most exciting viewing experience at the lowest cost of operation. We’re committed to building Great Escapes Theatres into a top-20 company.�

Chance, who is closely involved in all facets of the company’s operations and management, added, “We honed in on Christie digital projectors because they have a proven track record of delivering the brightest light output and sharpest image. Along with on-going support through Christie Managed Services, we can depend on Christie for the best digital cinema package on the market.�

“Thanks to its successful expansion strategy, Great Escapes has quickly become an important player in the exhibition industry,� said Craig Sholder, Vice-President, Entertainment Solutions, Christie. “Because the new Christie Solaria series of digital projectors are upgradeable to 4K digital cinema, Great Escapes is ensuring that its audiences will continue to enjoy the latest generation of quality, cutting-edge entertainment upon which it has built its reputation.�