Heavy Metal's 'Big Four' Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax Commemorate Historic Concert Together with One-Night Global Movie Theater Event on June 22Nd

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May 21, 2010

Heavy Metal's 'Big Four' Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax Commemorate Historic Concert Together with One-Night Global Movie Theater Event on June 22nd

Sonisphere Festival Concert to Be Broadcast via Satellite from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Movie Theaters around the World NCM Fathom to Present Concert Event to Fans in More Than 450 U.S. Theaters in over 140 U.S. Markets - Tickets Available Today

NEW YORK, May 21, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The "Big Four," Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, are bringing their historic European tour to the global stage via satellite to 800 movie theaters around the world in a special high definition cinematic event. These four legendary acts broke out of the underground thrash movement in the 1980s to dominate the metal world, selling millions of records and packing arenas across the globe. Despite huge demand, these musical giants have never shared the same stage until now. The legendary June 22 concert from the tour's stop at the Sonisphere Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, will be presented in the U.S. in more than 450 theaters in over 140 markets at 7:30 p.m. local time on the same day by NCM Fathom. The event will be broadcast into theaters in Europe, Canada and Latin America through other international exhibitor partnerships. Delayed screenings are also planned in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Tickets for The Big Four: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax are available today in the U.S. at participating theater box offices and at www.FathomEvents.com or www.thebigfourlive.com, where fans can also view the event trailer.

In December 2009, the bands announced that they would be joining forces to take part in the traveling Sonisphere Festival for only seven shows across Europe. Now, this one-time-only event from the Sofia show makes it possible for fans far and wide to participate in what otherwise is a very limited run of dates. The high definition concert presentation will memorialize the event and the impact will be amplified globally in cinemas, making the dreams of fans around the world become a reality.

Lars Ulrich of Metallica says of this historic announcement, "Who would have thought that more than 25 years after its inception, thrash metal's Big Four would not only still be around, be more popular than ever, playing shows together at stadiums all over Europe, and on top of that, coming to a movie theater near you in high definition (for better or worse??!!) Bring it on!"

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian says, "Damn, as if this Big Four tour wasn't exciting enough, now we get to be on the big screen worldwide! Metal at the movies, two big horns up! It is unbelievably gratifying that this means so much to the metal community around the globe. Get your tix, grab some popcorn and get ready to bang your head!"

Declares Slayer's Kerry King, "I can't believe someone didn't make this happen 15 years ago! The fans finally get what they want. I think it's awesome!"

Says Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, "The magnitude of this event hasn't really sunk in yet, and I am thrilled to know that people around the planet will be able to walk into a movie theater and experience the greatest line-up of heavy metal in the history of the world!"

Presented in the U.S. by NCM Fathom, The Big Four: Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer will appear in 451 select U.S. movie theaters, including AMC Entertainment Inc., Celebration! Cinema, Cinemark Holdings, Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Cobb Theatres, Goodrich Quality Theatres, Hollywood Theaters, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements and Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, as well as The Carolina (Asheville, NC) and the Palace Cinema 9 (South Burlington, VT), through NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network - North America's largest cinema broadcast network.

The Big Four: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax digital event in cinemas is distributed globally by New York-based BY Experience. Presently, over 800 cinemas worldwide will exhibit the program. Additional cinemas/territories may be added. Exhibition times may vary by territory.

About National CineMedia (NCM)

NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation's largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM's theater network covers 171 Designated Market Areas(R) (49 of the top 50) and includes approximately 17,100 screens (15,500 digital). During 2009, approximately 680 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters currently included in NCM's network (excluding Consolidated Theatres). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing approximately 40 entertainment-related web sites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI) owns a 40.7% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.ncm.com or www.fathomevents.com.

About BY Experience

BY Experience is the pioneer of global live "alternative content" digital cinema events. Credits: Worldwide Distribution Representative of "The Met: Live in HD"; International (ex-UK) Distribution Representative of the British National Theatre's series "NT Live"; Co-Presenter with the New York Times of its speaker's series, "TimesTalksLIVE" (2009-10); Cinema Distributor of the "BBC Electric Proms: Robbie Williams" (October 2009) and "BBC Last Night of the Proms 2009" (September 2009); BY Experience as Executive Producer for Cinema: "This American Life -- Live! with Ira Glass" (May 2009) and (April 2008); "David Gilmour: Remember That Night -- Live from the Royal Albert Hall" (September 2007); "David Bowie: Reality -- Live & Interactive" (September 2003). For more information, visit: www.byexperience.net.

SOURCE: National CineMedia

NCM Fathom Michelle Portillo, 303-792-8651 [email protected] or Goodman Media for NCM Fathom Heath Fradkoff/Carly Jansen, 212-576-2700 [email protected] / [email protected] or Press Here Publicity Carleen Donovan, 212-246-2640 [email protected] or Press Here Publicity Rachel Gomez [email protected] or For Metallica: Warner Bros. Records Brian Bumbery, (818) 953-3203 [email protected]