Sony rumored buying IMAX in possible 3D, theater pushes

Rumors have surfaced today from a pair of sources that Sony is in talks to buy big-screen movie technology firm IMAX. The deal would purportedly see Sony pay $40 per share for a takeover. The deal mentioned by BNN and the Daily Mail would be timed to seize on a swing back to profit and market performance well ahead of expectations.

Sony's exact motivations for the deal weren't clear, but it was probably to boost its presences in movie theaters, 3D and possibly in TVs. IMAX versions of movies, whether 2D or 3D, usually command a premium over the regular version through the usually bigger screens and more powerful audio, giving Sony a way of driving people to see its movies in theaters instead of waiting for the Blu-ray, DVD or Blu-ray copies.

TVs would be less likely to get the treatment, but Sony could use a buyout to promote an IMAX-like experience with its TVs even if it didn't make significant changes.


None of the involved companies have agreed to comment on the rumors. The Daily Mail has a varying record on deals, but corroborating claims from a separate media outlet are rare.

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