March 19, 2004—MGM and the Dye Track Committee have announced that beginning with the release of Soul Plane on May 28th, 2004, all 35 mm prints of all MGM titles will be issued in the US exclusively with pure-dye cyan analog soundtracks. MGM is the first studio to use environmentally friendly cyan tracks in lieu of traditional silver-applicated tracks on 100% of its 35 mm releases.

Environmental benefits of the cyan soundtrack include the elimination of caustic chemicals, and silver itself, from the print manufacturing process. The switch also enables a significant reduction in water usage: were all U.S. print manufacturing to convert to cyan tracks, the ongoing savings would be equivalent to the drinking water needs of a town of 75,000. Silver-applicated tracks have the further disadvantage of a comparatively high manufacturing reject rate.

"MGM is proud to be in the forefront of this landmark change in film sound-tracks, and to be taking a significant step in improving the environment," said Chris Aronson, Executive Vice President, General Sales Manager, MGM. Added Ioan Allen of the Dye Track Committee, "MGM's commitment is a major step in this unique partnership between studios and theatres."

In exhibition, cyan soundtracks require red-light soundtrack readers, which have been standard in new projector models for some time. It is estimated that the vast majority of the projectors in use in the U.S. are now equipped with red-light readers, making it now practical to use cyan tracks on all 35 mm prints. "We are grateful for MGM's leadership, and delighted that the studios are taking advantage of the theatres' shift to red light readers," said John Fithian, President, National Association of Theatre Owners. "This shows that the film industry as a whole has an environmental conscience."

The move to pure-dye soundtracks has been spearheaded by the six-year-old Dye Track Committee, which consists of representatives of Eastman Kodak, Dolby Laboratories, and print laboratories that include Deluxe and Technicolor. The technology has been thoroughly and successfully tested by labs, film distributors, and exhibitors over the past four years. Digital soundtracks are not silver-applicated, so are not affected by the decision to use cyan analog tracks.