Odeon/UCI acquires 9 multiplexes in Spain and Italy

Odeon & UCI Cinema Group, Europe’s largest cinema circuit, have purchased nine multiplexes from UGC Cine Cite, five of them in Spain and four in Italy.

In Spain, the purchase of the five multiplexes adds 92 new screens to the company’s portfolio, bringing the total number to 494. The acquired cinemas are located in Madrid, Valladolid and Cadiz.

In Italy, the purchase of the four multiplexes adds 62 new screens, bringing the total number to 369 in 32 sites. The cinemas are located in Rome, Turin and Rimini.

Across Europe, the exhibitor will now operate 215 cinemas and 2,039 screens.

Rupert Gavin, CEO of  Odeon & UCI Cinema Group said: “With the integration of UGC cinemas to the group in both Spain and Italy, our guests will benefit from the advantages that the company offers in all its territories: pre-booked seats, access to the loyalty program and online, phone, ATM ticket purchases – and leadership in the conversion to digital.”

“In Rome,we now hold a total of 4 cinemas, which alone represent 10% of the total market. Together with our new sites and those already in our portfolio, we look forward to increasing admissions across the Spanish and Italian markets – as well as further afield in the near future.”

The deal with UGC Cine Cite follows a deal signed with Pathe last December, in which UCI Italia acquired three major Italian multiplexes.