Bell ExpressVu Selects SunUp TCS for Pay-Per-View Channel Control.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 1999--

SunUp Digital Systems' broadcast operating software manages delivery

of new Bell ExpressVu channel line-up for the Canadian Market

When DBS satellite service provider Bell ExpressVu introduces their new multi-channel Pay-Per-View service to the Canadian market this Fall, the delivery of this new service will be controlled seamlessly, behind the scenes, by TCS, the broadcast operations software of SunUp Digital Systems.

On the air since September of 1997, Bell ExpressVu is the leading and fastest growing DBS company in Canada and has built a majority share of the Canadian DBS market with more than 280,000 subscribers. The company distributes more than 140 video channels of network, sports and local television programming. Beginning in November of this year, this competitive line-up will be complimented with the addition of its own pay-per-view service and more than 30 PPV channels.

To ensure the accurate delivery of these new revenue streams, Bell ExpressVu selected SunUp's TCS, the multi-channel traffic and control software used in the world's most elite DBS facilities. "After closely evaluating the top broadcast traffic products offered today, the selection of SunUp was obvious. Only SunUp's TCS delivered the complete package, from contracts and media management, through to scheduling, delivery and reporting," said Robert Peter, Bell ExpressVu's Director of Technical Operations. "Today all of our turnaround services are handled manually. The introduction of multiple channels of server-based PPV movies, programs, promos as well as live events created the need for automated traffic control. The delivery of PPV events has to be flawless," added Mr. Peter.

SunUp's system automatically controls and integrates workflow associated with program acquisition, scheduling, encoding, storage and playout processes, and provides contract management, media management and scheduling functions as well as conditional access and programming guides. Even back-end steps such as generating reconciliation reports are automated by the TCS system.

"The other factor in our decision was the willingness of SunUp to work with our unique system requirements. The fact that TCS could be easily integrated to interface to our existing facility, as well as to develop custom as-run reports for the Canadian Radio and Television Commission requirements made this choice an easy one," said Mr. Peter.

About SunUp Digital Systems

Based in San Jose, Calif., SunUp Digital Systems is the recognized market leader in high performance, end-to-end operations management and synchronization systems for multi-channel broadcasting. SunUp was founded in 1992 by a team of pioneers in the field of object oriented technology. The company is dedicated to developing and marketing software operating systems that bring savings and sophisticated functionality to digital broadcasting, satellite, cable television and datacasting operations.