Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group (OUCG) is to install digital projectors to the remainder of its sites, after securing distribution deals with three leading Hollywood studios.

OUCG, Europe's largest cinema chain, which operates the Odeon, UCI and Cinesa brands, already has 187 digital screens within its portfolio.

The fitting of the remaining cinemas with digital theatres will cost more than £70mto complete, and will be funded over time by a combination of contributions from the three studios as well as the earnings derived from the improved programming offer. The three studios which will part fund the new projectors are Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures international.

Julian Levin, executive vice president for digital at Twentieth Century Fox, said, "We view the ODEON & UCI Cinemas Group deal as a breakthrough for digital development in Europe.

"With ODEON & UCI Cinemas Group broad footprint across seven important markets, we anticipate a dramatic increase in digital projection in the years ahead.

Roger Pollock, a spokesperson for Paramount Pictures, said: "We at Paramount look forward to supporting our valued partner in delivering the ultimate viewing experience to the movie-going public."

Rupert Gavin, CEO of ODEON & UCI Cinemas Group said, "These deals represent a crucial step forward in delivering full scale Digital Cinema in Europe, with all the benefits that this will deliver for the industry, and most importantly, for our customers.

"The strength of demand for innovations such as 3D, and for alternative content, demonstrates the benefits that will result from the Digital revolution in Cinema."