Taiwan’s Showtime Adds ScreenX Theaters

Showtime, Taiwan’s second largest cinema chain, is to open eight ScreenX auditoriums across the island.

Developed by Korea’s CJ group of companies, ScreenX is cinema technology that expands specially selected sequences of a film onto the left-and-right-side walls of the auditorium, creating a 270-degree panoramic experience.

The first four theaters are expected to be completed before summer this year in northern, central and southern Taipei. The others will be completed by mid-2025.

Among the first sites, Taichung Wenxin will bring both the inaugural ScreenX auditorium and the first EWD laser 4K projection system to Taiwan. The theatre will have a 22-meter-wide screen and boast Christie ViveAudio array speakers. Showtime’s ScreenX facilities at its Taipei Shin Shin, Kaohsiung Dream Times and Taichung Station multiplexes will also feature 4K laser projection systems, luxury seating and immersive audio.

The installation is the first time that Showtime has built ScreenX facilities and the companies say that, “the deal marks the beginning of a long-term and strategic partnership between CJ 4DPLEX and Showtime Group.” The deal was announced at the ongoing CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas.

Showtime Group owns shopping malls, cinemas and resorts. Its Showtime Cinemas currently has 17 multiplex locations in Taiwan, with 184 theaters and a seating capacity of 21,120.

To date, there are over 370 ScreenX auditoriums around the world in 40 countries and territories.

“The novel technology of ScreenX will greatly meet consumers’ movie-viewing needs for innovation and change. Showtime Cinemas has been continuously committed to enhancing the movie-watching experience,” Showtime Group VP Clark Liao said.