ComStream to incorporate OpenTV technology in set-top boxes for Panasonic.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 1996--THOMSON SUN Interactive, LLC today announced that it has licensed its OpenTV interactive technology to ComStream Corporation of San Diego, California. ComStream plans to incorporate OpenTV in set-top boxes that will be manufactured by Matsushita Electric (UK) Ltd. in Wales and distributed in Europe under Panasonic and other regional brand names.

Consumers in Italy will be the first to experience OpenTV enabled interactivity via Direct-To-Home (DTH) digital satellite and cable TV service providers. The first applications include an interactive Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and Impulse Pay-Per-View (PPV). ComStream will also provide set-top boxes running OpenTV to service providers with networks in The Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, Scandinavia and the Middle East.

As part of the licensing agreement, ComStream has received the OpenTV Hardware Port Kit used to integrate OpenTV into its decoders. Upon completion of the integration, OpenTV will provide a platform for deployment of interactive television applications based upon the OpenTV run-time environment.

"This announcement reaffirms the market demand for the interactive capabilities made possible by OpenTV," commented Elliot Broadwin, CEO of THOMSON SUN Interactive. "The ComStream agreement is an endorsement of our ability to deliver the latest and most complete software to set-top manufacturers and network providers, and we are excited to have a company such as ComStream choose OpenTV as the operating standard for their hardware."

"As networks begin to install digital infrastructure, THOMSON SUN Interactive's software will allow consumers to access many of the functions and services currently limited to networked PC users," stated Fred Lawrence, CEO of ComStream. "OpenTV transforms the ordinary television into a networked client capable of online shopping, interactive advertising and Web browsing, all through applications downloaded on-demand over the broadcast or cable network."

THOMSON SUN Interactive, LLC provides an end-to-end software solution for the development and delivery of interactive television services. Its premier product offering is the industry standard OpenTV software family, a platform and network independent, open solution for delivering interactivity to the home. At the head-end, the Flowcaster software integrates with the broadcast facility to distribute digital data and content. The Hardware Port Kit permits the set-top to receive OpenTV enabled applications. To complete the solution, THOMSON SUN Interactive produces and sells the Software Developers Kit and distributes the Bedlam author product from Xaos Tools, Inc. to assist in the creation of compelling interactive applications.

ComStream Corporation, a major international provider of a spectrum of digital solutions for voice, data, imaging, audio and video applications, including digital transmission products for consumer applications and services over Direct Broadcast via Satellite (DBS) and Hybrid Fiber-Coax (HFC) systems worldwide. It has offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Indonesia, The People's Republic of China, Russia and the United Kingdom.

CONTACT: For THOMSON SUN Interactive, LLC

Golden Loder Associates

Pamela Golden Loder, 908/233-2040

e-mail: [e-mail]

or

ComStream

Leila Tardiff, Corporate Communications, 619/657-5245

e-mail: [e-mail]

or

Holly Bertz, Marketing Communications, 619/657-5327

e-mail: [e-mail]