BBC Technology Inks Significant Contract with ESPN; Deal Constitutes the First Deployment of BBC Technology's Colledia for Sports Offering.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NAB2003

Booth #SU5047

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2003

At NAB 2003, BBC Technology (Booth #SU5047) today announced a major new customer for its Colledia(TM) for Sports product offering. The company will also be providing ESPN, Inc. with elements of Colledia(TM) Control; systems integration; training; and operational support. ESPN selected BBC Technology after reviewing proposals from a wide range of software and equipment manufacturers, and system integrators. BBC Technology will support ESPN in the deployment of its Digital Conversion Project, which will transform the company's current production, presentation and archive operations into a fully digital, tapeless environment.

ESPN's search for an enterprise-wide, digital media infrastructure that supports real-time and pre-edited sports production and playout led them to BBC Technology. ESPN's implementation of BBC Technology's products and services will see integration between IT and broadcast environments, incorporating best-of-breed hardware and software components from partners such as Quantel, as never seen before.

ESPN selected BBC Technology based on the company's ability to manage the entire media lifecycle from ingest to playout, and the fact that elements of the solution have been successfully tried-and-tested with the BBC.

ESPN is positioning itself as a leader in the migration to HD television standards. BBC Technology's solution seamlessly and simultaneously supports both SD and HD production, while addressing the workflow complexities and real-time deadline demands of sports programming.

Charles Pagano, ESPN's Senior Vice President, Technology, Engineering and Operations, said: "Given the nature of live sports programming, and with multiple networks and other media applications, ESPN presents a unique and complex application in the digital world."

"We are very proud to be providing ESPN with a first of its kind, end-to-end solution for managing media in real time," said Ann Wilson, President, BBC Technology. "It's exciting for us to be working with ESPN at this time, as they set a new benchmark for excellence and integrity in the world of sports media."

BBC Technology's ability to support digital program production, enables real-time management of the entire process from ingest to playout. The combination of Colledia(TM) for Sports and Colledia(TM) Control will create a fully digital environment within ESPN's facilities in which media feeds will be ingested, become immediately ubiquitous throughout the entire enterprise, and will be available to any client for viewing, logging, editing, presenting and archiving. The system's design adheres to the FCC's HD mandates and will enable seamless integration between ESPN's existing broadcast equipment and new HD technology, while offering extensive command and control techniques that will facilitate the availability of content throughout the entire media lifecycle.

About BBC Technology

BBC Technology began trading on March 31, 2001, drawing on the BBC's pioneering technological experience to offer solutions in media, broadcast and interactive applications to both the BBC and other global players. It can design, build and operate systems for managing and distributing content on multimedia platforms. During its first year BBC Technology secured a contract with Hutchison 3G UK Ltd, holder of the UK's largest third-generation mobile phone license, to manage the production of its audio-visual content. The content will be accessible through Hutchison 3G's next-generation wireless service.

BBC Technology is part of the BBC Ventures Group, which sits alongside BBC Worldwide as the BBC's second commercial division and brings together the Corporation's four business-to-business commercial companies under one holding company. The Group's constituent businesses comprise: BBC Technology, BBC Broadcast, BBC Resources and Kingswood Warren Ventures. The Group has been tasked with maximizing commercial return back to the BBC to put back into programs and services for the benefit of all.