[SatNews] Deluxe/EchoStar LLC has signed a deal with Carmike Cinemas (NASDAQ: CKEC), the fourth largest exhibitor in the U.S., for satellite distribution of content to Carmike’s circuit of 239 theaters.

Carmike’s digital cinema footprint reaches 2,103 screens in 36 states, of which 596 have 3D capability. Satellite equipment installation will begin immediately and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Carmike’s theatres are primarily located in communities across small-town America. This new service will deliver 2D and 3D digital cinema prints in 2K and 4K formats, 2D and 3D alternative content, trailers, as well as connect to live events and other media programming. The system also accommodates closed captioning, sub-titles, and gaming. Benefits include faster delivery of content by transmitting a movie in hours and a trailer in minutes, as well as reducing traditional freight costs associated with shipping hard drives to theaters. Formed in September 2010, Deluxe/EchoStar LLC is a joint venture between Deluxe Digital Cinema Inc., a subsidiary of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., and EchoStar Satellite Services, L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), building an advanced digital cinema satellite distribution network targeting delivery to digitally equipped theaters in the U.S. and Canada.