• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, April 22, 2021

Digital out-of-home video advertising network Screenvision Media this morning announced a flurry of new movie theater affiliates adding 1,000 screens to its movie theater network over the past 12 months. The expansion brings Screenvision's national movie theater advertising network coverage to more than 2,000 locations and 14,000 screens.

The deals include agreements with:

• NCG                                                     26 theaters and 250 screens
• Studio Movie Grill                             20 theaters and 208 screens
• Megaplex Theatres                           16 theaters and 178 screens
• Emagine Northwoods                      12 theaters and 152 screens
• Phoenix Theatres Entertainment    14 theaters and 144 screens 
• CineLux Theatres                               7 theaters and 53 screens  

While many theaters are continuing to phase in openings and attendee capacities, Screenvision and other cinema ad networks are optimistic that the industry will rebound in the latter half of 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic is brought more under control, and as theaters attract moviegoers back with new and improved health and safety protocols.

For many in the ad industry, cinema advertising is a lagging indicator of the U.S. advertising recovery.