Sony to Demonstrate Next-Generation Interactive Digital Cable Receiver At Consumer Electronics Show.

Business Editors

CES 2001

CES Booth N109

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2001

Advanced Features Include Easy-to-Navigate Graphical User Interface, Video-on-Demand, E-mail, High Speed Interactive Connection,

Information-enhanced TV Developed with Cablevision

Sony Electronics Inc. (SEL) today announced that it will demonstrate the next generation digital entertainment and broadband communications platform with Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) for the first time to the public at the 2001 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

The interactive digital cable receiver's advanced features include: a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables easy navigation with integrated TV and data; video-on-demand; e-commerce; Interactive TV (ITV) applications; always-connected access to a managed web environment featuring customized Internet and local content; e-mail; and a broadband cable modem that provides a high speed bi-directional interactive connection.

Especially noteworthy in this initiative is the effort by Sony and Cablevision to work together to provide an "end-to-end" suite of solutions. Sony provided system design and software integration for the new platform, which includes both a server-based middleware system and interactive digital cable receivers. Cablevision provided system requirements as well as the broadband and content expertise and has been working closely with Sony on the development of new services to utilize the new product's capability.

"We are delighted to be able to demonstrate our two companies' progress in the realization of advanced interactive services," said Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO, Sony Corporation of America. "The interactive digital cable receiver is one of Sony's main gateways into the broadband universe, and this is another critical milestone in the deployment of Sony's entertainment and electronics resources to advance its broadband strategy."

"Sony's interactive digital cable receivers will allow customers to pick and choose from many new products and services and we look forward to deploying them in our New York market," said Cablevision President and CEO James L. Dolan. "As we move from traditional analog video to an exciting world of digital technology, Sony will help us unlock the limitless potential of Cablevision's state-of-the-art digital platform," Mr. Dolan continued.

Cablevision plans to begin launching the new digital system later this year throughout its New York metropolitan area cable systems, to a potential customer base of more than four million homes.

Key Specifications of the Sony Interactive Digital Cable Receivers:

The primary interactive digital cable receiver:

-- 300 MIPS application processor

-- 32MB DRAM, 16MB flash memory

-- DOCSIS and DAVIC cable modem

-- 3D graphics support

-- Affinity card slot for e-commerce

-- i.LINK(IEEE-1394) port with Digital Transmission Content Protection ("5C
DTCP")

-- USB port x 2

-- Digital audio, S-video, video, RF input/output

-- Smart card based security

The secondary interactive digital cable receiver:

-- 100 MIPS application processor

-- 32MB DRAM, 8MB flash memory

-- DAVIC cable modem

-- RF input/output

-- Smart card based security

Sony Electronics Inc.: Headquartered in Park Ridge, N.J., Sony Electronics has more than 26,000 employees in the U.S. and Mexico. Sony is the co-developer of CD and DVD technologies, and noted for such recent developments as Memory Stick(R) removable media, the MiniDisc digital audio system, Digital 8(TM) Handycam(R) camcorders and flat-screen FD Trinitron(R) televisions and computer displays. Sony Electronics had record sales exceeding $12 billion for fiscal year 1999. For more information, please see our Web site at http://www.sony.com/CES.

Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve more than 3.2 million households located primarily in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its Lightpath integrated business communications services and its Optimum-branded high-speed Internet service.

Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. subsidiary operates programming businesses including American Movie Classics, Bravo, FOX Sports Net and other national and regional services. Cablevision also owns a controlling interest and operates Madison Square Garden and its sports teams including the Knicks and Rangers. The company operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall and owns and operates THE WIZ consumer electronics stores and Clearview Cinemas in the New York metropolitan area. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at http://www.cablevision.com.