BBC Technology Delivers Colledia Control to BBC Regional Broadcast Centers.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NAB2004

Booth #SU8469

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2004

Remote monitoring and control software enables real-time

management of all signal routing and processing at two of the United

Kingdom's largest BBC Broadcast Centers, Hull and Leeds

BBC Technology, provider of products and services to global media-driven organizations, today announced that its Colledia(TM) Control software product will be used to monitor and control all signal routing and processing in each of the media hubs and studios at two of the BBC's regional Broadcast Centers, Hull and Leeds. Colledia(TM) Control will enable operators to manage outside sources, server inputs, assignable mixer sources, feeds to graphic equipment, in-vision monitors, monitor stacks and outgoing contribution circuits -- from touch screen panels installed in the media hubs, studios, presentation and graphics areas. The easy-to-use user interface (UI) will enable operational staff to efficiently control all the equipment across various locations. The configurable system can scale to keep in line with the region's future plans for expansion and will allow flexibility for future changes in equipment and operational process. Colledia(TM) Control will be demonstrated at the NAB 2004 conference. (BBC Technology, booth #SU8469, National Association of Broadcasters conference, Las Vegas, April 17-22, 2004)

"Colledia(TM) Control is already used extensively in news operations and other areas across the BBC, and is in major deployment at DIRECTV in the United States and at BSkyB in the United Kingdom," said Adrian Corcoran, managing director, BBC Technology. "We are pleased that others are beginning to see the costs they can save by using this system to control and monitor complex infrastructures and operations in a networked PC environment."

Andy Davy, head of technology, BBC Nations and Regions, BBC, said, "The BBC's strong local, regional and national services are a cornerstone of its relationship with audiences across the U.K. And it is why investment is currently helping to expand programs and services, on TV, on radio and online, in these areas."

Colledia(TM) Control is a software-based product that provides flexible and reliable control from one user-friendly, touch screen interface across all areas of broadcast infrastructure and operations, including both modern and legacy equipment. It improves productivity and cost efficiency by enabling a single operator to manage an entire broadcasting infrastructure and operation, from content creation to distribution. It enables broadcasters to simplify complex processes involving multiple broadcast components, remotely control offsite equipment from a central location and monitor the status and performance of their entire broadcast infrastructure.

About BBC Technology's Colledia(TM) Control

Colledia(TM) Control is monitoring and control software that runs on standard networked PCs to enable a single operator to remotely manage broadcast equipment -- whether standalone routers, entire infrastructure upgrades or across multiple sites with hundreds of devices and over 50 operation positions. The product provides manufacturer-agnostic support that allows customers to select best-of-breed technology, while retaining a consistent user interface (UI) across all operations. Recent advancements to the product include: intelligent configuration management, an alarms and monitoring logic system, full enterprise-wide scalability and new UI components. Colledia(TM) Control customers include: DIRECTV Inc., the BBC, BSkyB, Associated Press Television News (APTN) News Service, United Pan-Europe Communications (UPCtv), RUV Iceland and The London Studios/LNN, a division of the Granada Media Group.

About BBC Technology

Founded in March 2001, BBC Technology provides products and services for both the BBC and other global media-driven organizations. Drawing on eight decades of pioneering technical expertise and innovation for the BBC, BBC Technology helps organizations create, manage and distribute content more effectively across multiple platforms. BBC Technology's products and services include: the award-winning Colledia(TM) product portfolio, Colledia(TM) Control, media communications, Internet solutions, and consulting services. Customers include: BBC News, BSkyB, DIRECTV Inc., ESPN Inc., Hutchison 3G, SABC and Scottish Enterprise.

The BBC is currently managing the sale of BBC Technology, which will also incorporate a procurement process for a new technology services contract for the Corporation (see press release, 'BBC to Sell Technology Subsidiary', November 27, 2003). The move follows a strategic review of the BBC's technology requirements for the next decade, which identified potential annual savings for the BBC of between GBP 20-GBP 30m if its technology services were outsourced. Combining the procurement process with the sale of BBC Technology as a whole means the BBC can leverage maximum value and, as a result, invest more money in its programs and services. The move offers growth opportunities for the 1400 staff at BBC Technology as the company is attracting bids from major technology businesses with scale and expertise. It is anticipated that the process will be complete in Autumn 2004.