Firestone Communications Signs The Soundtrack Channel For Long-Term Satellite Uplink/Transmission Services.

Business Editors

DALLAS & FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2003

10-year agreement marks Soundtrack Channel's entry into

the U.S. market; successful entertainment channel already

broadcasting in 37 countries worldwide

Firestone Communications has signed The Soundtrack Channel (STC) to a 10-year network origination agreement through which Firestone Communications will make STC's programming available for the first time ever to U.S. cable operators via Firestone Communications' uplink to the Telstar 7 satellite.

The agreement with Firestone Communications launches STC, already available in 37 countries, into the lucrative U.S. market, which STC President Bill Lee says is a key step in his long-term growth strategy for STC.

"One of the fantastic things about The Soundtrack Channel is that there are fans of movie soundtracks and movie entertainment all over the world, and while everything we do at STC is borderless in terms of its appeal, the U.S. market is undeniably another terrific growth opportunity for us," said Lee. "Being introduced to Firestone Communications was a fortunate thing for us because in addition to their technical savvy, they also have the experience and perspective of launching and running their own channel, SORPRESA!, which makes them an even better fit for STC. We have a similar mentality, philosophy, and going-forward strategy in terms of growing a business."

In addition to their shared programming experience, Lee said the quality and breadth of Firestone Communications' technologies was a significant selling point.

"From the technical side, the quality of Firestone's facility is top-notch, and that was the major test for us. The decision whether STC would go with Firestone was based on their having the best technology," said Lee. "You can't just put your signal up on any satellite, you have to be on a strategically and well-placed satellite where cable operators are actually looking. Firestone puts STC on Telstar 7, which is a very attractive, very good neighborhood."

The Telstar 7 satellite, Transponder 18, also carries the America One Television Network, and SORPRESA!, both of which are uplinked from the Firestone Communications facility in Dallas/Fort Worth.

"Our agreement with STC illustrates the value that we are creating at Firestone Communications, thanks to our talented team and the outstanding technology in which we have invested," said Firestone Communications President Michael Fletcher. "The STC agreement culminates six months of discussions between our two companies, and it's fair to say that we are exploring additional ways of working together."

Firestone Communications Chairman and CEO Leonard Firestone added: "We are seeing the benefits of being able to offer our facility and its advanced technologies to companies that are looking to manage costs without compromising their quality of service. Our facility creates an excellent environment for program production, origination, and distribution thanks to the efficiencies found with our economies of scale."

The Firestone Communications Operations Center is an FCC-licensed earth station, with an uplink capable of eight broadcast and two audio/video channels. The C-Band Satellite Uplink is capable of transmitting multiple signals, high quality broadcast feeds and multiple stereo audio channels in a PowerVue Plus format. The Production Systems features an Avid media composer, Adobe Graphics After Effects System, 3DS Max 3D graphics, off-line editing systems and Betacam SX and Digital Betacam tape formats. Additionally, Firestone has installed a Sea Change Media Servers, Sundance Automation equipment, and VCI STARS II+.

Soundtrack Channel, LLC ("STC"), based in Santa Monica, Calif., is the first and only cable and satellite channel to exclusively feature music videos from movie and television soundtracks, including original movie music videos that are specially produced for the channel. The channel also features entertainment news, behind-the-scenes of the movie-making process and celebrity interviews. Not just a music video channel - STC is the destination on television for people who love movies, music and all things entertainment. STC plays all the latest movie music video hits from Terminator 3, Bad Boys II, Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life and Legally Blonde 2; as well as classic movies such as Titanic, Apollo 13, Star Wars, and Goldfinger. Further information about the company can be found www.soundtrackchannel.com.

Firestone Communications, Inc., is a privately held media company based in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas. The company launched SORPRESA! as its first digital channel offering which is available on Cablevision, Comcast, Cox, Time Warner, and The National Cable TV Cooperative. The company's Board of Directors include Peter Lund, former President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Corp.; and Raymond Mason, former Chairman, President and CEO, Charter Group.