CNN Upgrades To AvidNews Newsroom Computer System.

TEWKSBURY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 13, 1998--

--Network to Move 1,300 Existing Newsroom Computer Seats to

AvidNews NRCS Throughout CNN/U.S., CNNfn and all CNN Domestic and International Bureaus--

The CNN News Group and Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVID) announced today that CNN/U.S., CNNfn, CNN International and Headline News will upgrade more than 1,300 existing newsroom workstations throughout its news gathering operation to Avid's award-winning AvidNews Newsroom Computer System(tm) (NRCS). The upgrade, planned to start in the summer of 1998, will begin with the installation of AvidNews NRCS at Headline News and following the successful upgrade of the Headline News' systems, will then move on to include the majority of the CNN News Groups' networks and bureaus, both domestic and international.

All of the existing Avid NetStation(tm) newsroom computer seats will be replaced with the AvidNews NRCS over a two-year transition period. The installation of the AvidNews NRCS seats is part of CNN's ongoing efforts to provide advanced digital news production throughout all parts of its news organization.

"The newsroom computer market continues to grow and the sheer number of products that are now available to broadcasters is amazing," said Gordon Castle, vice president, CNN Research and Development. "We researched all of the new newsroom computer systems on the market, and feel that Avid offers the best combination of features and natural transition options." Castle added, "The Avid system offered more than just the basics. The NRCS is a powerful newsroom solution that will help our journalists streamline and better manage the newsroom process. An added plus is that it was designed to work with our existing systems, which include several AvidNews MediaServer(tm) systems and Avid editing and playback systems throughout CNN."

The move to AvidNews NRCS will require the upgrading of a number of NetStation DOS systems and VT terminals. The AvidNews NRCS will support CNN's large installed base of DOS and VT terminals during the migration, allowing CNN to move to AvidNews NRCS at their own pace.

"The ability of the AvidNews NRCS host system to support CNN's large installed base of DOS and VT420 terminals, in addition to the new AvidNews client, was key in our decision to go with AvidNews," said Gina Gershon, director of news systems at CNN. "The ability to run all clients simultaneously allows CNN to undergo thorough training of our staff and we can plan for a smooth, phased transition department by department, bureau by bureau."

"The commitment by CNN to upgrade their systems to the NRCS confirms that Avid is right on track with the needs of the world's broadcasters," said David Olson, senior vice president and general manager of Avid's broadcast news division. "Avid is dedicated to providing leading-edge digital newsroom production tools that offer proven quality, ease-of-use and advanced integration with existing and future newsroom equipment. The NRCS, when used in conjunction with Avid's other newsroom products, offers the most powerful digital news production solution available on the market today. We are pleased to take this next step with CNN."

The AvidNews NRCS, first shipped in Q4 '97, includes the AvidNews Newsroom Computer System workstations and the Newsroom Computer System news server, which provides the database for streamlining and managing news story production. NRCS streamlines news production with powerful new tools that enable text, video and audio management right on the journalist's desktop. Journalists, editors, producers and news directors can share and access video, scripts and rundowns, as well as easily publish news stories in HTML format on the World Wide Web, allowing stations to extend news coverage to a wider audience.

About the AvidNews Environment

Building on its leading position in newsroom computing with more than 50,000 journalist seats, Avid Technology now supports more than 1,100 broadcast facilities with its powerful, easy-to-use software and systems. Avid's broadcast products include recording, editing and playback systems, newsroom computer systems, server-based workgroup video production systems and graphics software. Implemented as standalone solutions, or integrated into an all-digital news production process, products in the AvidNews Environment are engineered to increase productivity and operating efficiencies.

About CNN

Cable News Network (CNN) is the world's only global, 24-hour news network, offering comprehensive news coverage from CNN's 29 worldwide bureaus. CNN can be seen in 67 million television households in over 210 countries and territories. Headline News updates viewers on today's news every 30 minutes all day and all night, utilizing the newsgathering resources of CNN. CNNfn, Turner's newest network, launched December 1995, offers up-to-the-minute business and financial news to its viewers Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (ET).

About Avid Technology

Avid Technology, Inc. is an international, market-leading provider of digital audio and video tools for creating content for information and entertainment applications. Avid's products are used by tens of thousands of customers worldwide ranging from communications professionals to film, television and interactive content producers to broadcast news organizations. For more information, visit Avid's World Wide Web site at www.avid.com.

Avid, Avid NetStation, AvidNews MediaServer and the AvidNews Newsroom Computer System are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

(c) Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.

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