News

BBC Worldwide and CCTV9 cement ties with MOU

Major collaborations planned around world-leading natural history content

Beijing, 18 November 2013: BBC Worldwide today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China’s state broadcaster, CCTV Documentary Channel (CCTV9). The agreement, which is anticipated to see at least two major projects launch over the next six months, is centred around BBC Worldwide’s premium factual content brand, BBC Earth.

The MOU was signed at the Sichuan TV Festival in Chengdu today, with Mr. Liu Wen, Managing Director representing CCTV9 and Pierre Cheung, VP and GM of BBC Worldwide, Greater China representing BBC Worldwide.

The agreement will provide opportunities and platforms for partnerships between the two businesses, which have worked together on numerous successful projects over the last three years.

The MOU includes two key areas of collaboration:

Establishing a centre for story development – developing documentaries for television audiences which focus on the Chinese and Asian market but target a global audience

Developing TV and live event co-productions and expanding our distribution relationship – building on existing television co-production success to include more TV landmarks, exploring live event projects, and looking to expand our distribution relationship beyond TV

“We have been collaborating with BBC Worldwide on TV programmes for many years now,” said Mr. Liu Wen, Managing Director of CCTV9. “Like the BBC, we are committed to bringing high quality programmes to our viewers. We are excited that with this MOU, we will be able to extend our partnership to reach new audiences.”

Paul Dempsey, BBC Worldwide President Global Markets said: “This MOU is a significant milestone in the history of BBC Worldwide’s business in China and in our relationship with CCTV. The projects we will be working on will enable us to bring our flagship BBC Earth content to audiences across China and help bring together UK and Chinese creative talent.”

BBC Worldwide and CCTV9 previously announced co-production deals for science series Generation Earth, Wonders of Life and Africa. In April this year the BBC’s commercial arm confirmed a co-production agreement with CCTV9 on Hidden Kingdoms.

For more information, please contact:

Asia
Jeanne Leong – Director, Communications BBC Worldwide Asia
Tel: +65 68495292
Email: jeanne.leong@bbc.com

UK
Anna Hollaway – Head of Communications, Global Markets
Tel: +447799670255
Email: anna.hollaway@bbc.com

NOTES TO EDITORS
About BBC Worldwide Ltd. BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). BBC Worldwide exists to support the BBC public service mission and to maximise profits on its behalf. It does this through investing in, commercialising and showcasing content from the BBC around the world, in a way that is consistent with BBC standards and values. The business also builds the reach and reputation of the BBC brand overseas and champions British creativity.

In 2012/13, BBC Worldwide generated headline profits of £156m and headline sales of £1,116m and returned £156m to the BBC. For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review website: http://www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreview
bbcworldwide.com
twitter.com/bbcwpress

BBC Earth
BBC Earth is the leading factual brand for BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC. The brand exists to inspire audiences globally with new insights, amazing stories and incredible facts that will spark a journey of discovery. BBC Earth works with the world’s best filmmakers, creators and innovators to develop new and unforgettable experiences to reach our broad base of fans. We use cutting edge technology to create exciting live events and theatric releases, creating top quality products and taking our content to new digital platforms to connect with audiences around the globe.

Television industry unites for UN World TV Day honouring TV’s ‘power to engage’

Brussels, 18 November – The capacity of television to engage audiences in critical issues will be recognized on 21 November as part of a United Nations led initiative supported by public service and commercial broadcasters, sales houses, as well as trade associations around the world.

In a world first, key industry bodies including the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT) and egta, the Brussels based association of television and radio sales houses will unite for World Television Day, which was proclaimed an annual event by the United Nations in 1996.

Broadcasters everywhere have been invited to screen a brief video commissioned by egta, ACT and EBU in recognition of TV’s crucial role to inform, educate and entertain.

The clip features people of all ages and nationalities watching television content on different devices, ranging from entertainment to news, to culture, education and drama. Broadcasters across Europe, Asia, Canada, USA and Australia will participate.

United Nations secretary general Ban Ki Moon says in a digital age, TV remains the most trusted and popular medium for news, culture, sports and entertainment. Europeans watch more linear television than ever before – an average of 235 minutes per day.

“Television helps bring the world to people’s lives and living rooms,” he said. “Through quality programming, television sheds light on global issues and opens windows of understanding on the struggles and hopes of communities and families everywhere.”

EBU president and general administrator of Belgian public service broadcaster RTBF, Jean-Paul Philippot said TV remained ‘the dominant platform for live events,’ despite the rise of social media and the more personalised consumption of media via the internet.

“TV is, and shall remain the medium par excellence for people to simultaneously share their emotions and participate in seminal events,” said Mr Philippot. “It was the medium that took us to the moon and it will continue to inspire us today and in the future.”

Philippe Delusinne, ACT President and CEO RTL Belgium, said that “television’s success story is built on proximity to our audience, local relevance and telling great stories”.

“TV is constantly evolving with one major goal: we want viewers to be the big winners of this technological evolution,” he said. “In the end, new technology means more ways to watch TV: what you want, when you want and on whatever screen you want. Thousands of talented people work in television, backstage or on screen to continue this success. It’s an honour to be part of this media family.”

Franz Prenner, egta President and Head of Research at ORF Enterprise Austria, expressed praise for a medium, which he said ‘repeatedly demonstrated its capacity for reinvention.’

“These are exciting times both for broadcasters,” he said, “who are innovating in the way they deliver television content to viewers, and for their sales houses, who contribute to the financing of great content through ever more informative, targeted and relevant advertising.”

***

NOTE TO EDITORS

World Television Day website: www.worldtelevisionday.tv, Twitter: @WorldTVDay
We have asked prominent personalities from politics, sports, media and culture about their experiences of television. Among them you will find:
- Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth: “While the digital revolution has empowered individuals with an unprecedented diversity of communication tools, television remains the most powerful medium of all. It allows people – of all ages and backgrounds – to easily share information, views and emotions. Television has a key role to play in education, and it enables viewers to enjoy the richness of our cultural diversity, contributing to a more creative Europe.”
- Bonnie Tyler, Welsh singer, songwriter, businesswoman and active philanthropist: “TV is now the greatest cultural influence in the world. It crosses all human boundaries and has the capacity to bring people together, when used in a positive way, li e no other medium. I love to watch TV wherever I am in the world and never cease to be both entertained and informed by it.”
- Niki Lauda, Austrian Formula One racing driver, three time World Champion: “The fact that I report as an expert for RTL live from the race course already shows that I attach great importance to the medium of television. Few people have had the opportunity to even sit once in a Formula 1 car as I have. Thanks to television, millions of people have the chance to be part of the action and to celebrate victories with us.”
- Visit the website for more testimonials: www.worldtelevisionday.tv/testimonials/
World TV Day video clip: http://www.worldtelevisionday.tv/video-love-tv-21112013/

PRESS CONTACTS:

Ross Biggam, Director General ACT
T +32 27 38 76 13
M +32 477 407 733
E rb@acte.be

The Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT) represents the interests of the commercial broadcasting sector in Europe. Formed in 1989, the ACT has 33 member companies licensed in 37 different European countries and distributed across 45 European markets and beyond. Our members operate several hundred free-to-air and pay-tv channels and distribute many more channels and new services. The ACT members encompass several business models: free-to-air broadcasters and pay-TV players, digital platform operators and multimedia groups. See www.acte.be, Twitter: @ACT_eu.

Matthew Trustram, Project Manager, EUROVISION TV Unit
T +41(0) 22 717 26 23
E trustram@ebu.ch

Sue Neilen, Senior Communications Officer EBU
+41 (0)22 717 2203 M +41 (0)79 376 4920
E neilen@ebu.ch

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the world’s foremost alliance of public service media organizations, with Members in 56 countries in Europe and beyond.
The EBU’s mission is to defend the interests of public service media and to promote their indispensable contribution to modern society. It is the point of reference for industry knowledge and expertise. The EBU operates EUROVISION and EURORADIO. EUROVISION is the media industry’s premier distributor and producer of top quality live sport and news, as well as entertainment, culture and music content. EURORADIO enhances public service radio through the exchange of music, professional networking and the promotion of digital and hybrid radio – to ensure radio remains a key protagonist in a multimedia world. web: www.ebu.ch – twitter: @EBU_Eurovision @Euroradio_EBU

Katty Roberfroid, egta
T +32 2 290 31 31
E katty.roberfroid@egta.com

Anne-Laure Dreyfus, egta
T +32 2 290 31 34
E annelaure.dreyfus@egta.com

egta is the association representing television and radio sales houses, either independent from the channel or in-house, that market the advertising space of both private and public television and radio stations throughout Europe and beyond. egta fulfils different functions for its members in fields of activities as diversified as regulatory issues, audience measurement, sales methods, interactivity, cross-media, technical standards, new media etc. During its 35 years of existence, egta has become the reference centre for television & radio advertising in Europe. egta counts 129 members operating across 38 countries.

Winners of the Eutelsat TV Awards 2013

eut logo 123

Venice, 15 November 2013 – “Over 50% of the channels awarded at this year’s Eutelsat TV Awards are in High Definition and have been launched over the last 12 months,” Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat Chairman and CEO announced tonight in Venice at the Awards ceremony of Eutelsat’s international broadcasting event. “This result highlights more than ever the vitality and boundless creativity of the television business as well as its commitment to deliver an exceptional viewing experience.

Congratulations to all channels for making this year’s event our best ever”.

The Eutelsat TV Awards is a unique event recognising the quality of thematic satellite TV channels. Over 100 channels from 20 countries participated in this year’s competition, their programming formats, innovation and audience relationship judged by an independent panel of media experts representing the world’s most dynamic broadcasting markets.

Duilio Giammaria, RAI television presenter and Jury Chairman of the Eutelsat TV Awards added: “From channels with a 20-year legacy to new entrepreneurial ventures in emerging markets, the jury assessed the quality of content creation, innovative programme packaging and how channels are leveraging technology to engage with their audience. It’s no understatement to say that the story of television is still being written and that programme-makers are constantly turning new viewing platforms and changing audience habits to their advantage.”

Eutelsat TV Awards Winners 2013

Cyfrowy Polsat bolsters position at Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD neighbourhood

eut logo 123

Polish pay-TV platform accelerates roll-out of HDTV to Polish satellite TV homes

Paris, 15 November 2013 – Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) and Cyfrowy Polsat today announced a new contract for additional capacity at Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD video neighbourhood and a multi-year agreement to extend the lease of existing capacity. The announcement was made in Venice on the occasion of Eutelsat’s Broadcast Seminar and the Eutelsat TV Awards.

A total of six HOT BIRD transponders are now leased by Cyfrowy Polsat satellite platform and its wholly-owned broadcasting company, Telewizja Polsat. The additional capacity together with effective model of co-operation with other broadcasters equips Cyfrowy Polsat to further accelerate the availability of HD content to its installed base of 3.5 million subscribers. 80% of Cyfrowy Polsat’s subscribers are already equipped with HD set-top-boxes to access the 37 HD channels included in the 130 Polish channels carried by the platform.

“As Poland’s leading media group and the largest satellite pay-TV platform, Cyfrowy Polsat has placed HDTV at the heart of our growth strategy. The new satellite resources at Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD environment will enable us to further expand our channel offering”, Dariusz Dzialkowski, Cyfrowy Polsat’s CTO, said. He added: “The longstanding partnership between Eutelsat and Cyfrowy Polsat and the exceptional quality of the resources at the HOT BIRD environment have enabled us to continue to take our services to a new level of performance.”

For Jean-François Leprince-Ringuet, Eutelsat’s Chief Commercial Officer: “Cyfrowy Polsat Group has been one of the finest success stories of the European broadcasting market over more than two decades and is once again setting the agenda with creative service packaging and a strong play in HDTV. We are delighted to pursue our partnership with this new multi-year contract at the HOT BIRD neighbourhood.”

About Cyfrowy Polsat
For further information, visit http://www.cyfrowypolsat.pl/

About Eutelsat Communications (www.eutelsat.com)
With capacity commercialised on 31 satellites delivering reach of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world’s leading satellite operators. As of 30 September 2013, Eutelsat’s satellites were broadcasting more than 4,700 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group’s satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution, corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 780 commercial, technical and operational professionals from 30 countries.

For further information

Press
Vanessa O’Connor
Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91
voconnor@eutelsat.fr

Frédérique Gautier
Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91
fgautier@eutelsat.fr

Marie-Sophie Ecuer
Tel. + 33 1 53 98 37 91
mecuer@eutelsat.fr

Investors & Analysts
Léonard Wapler
Tel: +33 1 53 98 35 30
investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Cédric Pugni
Tel: +33 1 53 98 35 30
investors@eutelsat-communications.com

India’s Channel Wars Go Global

(Nov 14, 2013) In July, Zee Entertainment, one of India’s largest broadcasters, adopted a new philosophy and tagline: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family. It comes after the company made a strategic shift last year when it set its aim to become a global broadcaster reaching out to a billion viewers by 2020 from 700 million now. By then, it also hopes to get over a third of its revenues from markets outside India. “We have achieved 65 per cent penetration with the South Asian diaspora, but the second and fourth generations are not as connected to India,” says Punit Goenka, managing director and CEO, Zee Entertainment.

15 November, 2013

Welcome to News Views, CASBAA’s news round-up culled from sources across the industry for the week ending Nov 15th. Curated by CASBAA, News Views keeps you in the loop. We always value your feedback, so tell us what you think!

Christopher Slaughter CEO	Love him or loathe him, it’s sort of hard to ignore analyst-turned-editor Henry Blodget and his five-year-old Business Insider website. Now Blodget is getting back into research, presenting a substantial slide deck on “The Future of Digital”, which (perhaps unsuprisingly) leads to the conclusion that mobile is the only media growing. Interesting data in the deck, including a taunt to the TV industry: “Bigger they come, harder they fall.”
John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer	Dear Government: Butt Out. A veteran HK journalist offers a view (in China Daily!) that is worthy of more attention by Asia’s governments: that the justifications for heavy government intervention in broadcasting policy have vanished, as pay-TV and the internet have multiplied communication channels available to every viewer. “Why should you need a license for a broadcast station, when you can set up a newspaper by filling in a form and a website with no formalities at all?”
Jill Grinda Executive Vice President	Asian OTT reaches Europe: Zee-TV is making its Ditto TV OTT service, including 17 channels, available in the UK. It’s the first example of a specific, legal, stand-alone Asian OTT offering in Europe that we’re aware of. Go Asia!
Christopher Slaughter CEO	As those of us with children know, there is nothing more tyrannical than a kid with a TV remote control in its hands. Except, maybe, a kid with a tablet and a WiFi connection. Which means, of course, that there is definitely a battle for viewership of children’s programming online taking place.
John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer	File This Under “Yeah, Right”: Baidu’s posted response to the US$50 million suit lodged against it for copyright violations: “We have always prioritized copyright protection.” I have a bridge to sell you, Baidu………
Jill Grinda Executive Vice President	It’s time to play nice in the sandbox for FTA and pay-TV in Australia! The lack of cooperation between Free TV and the Pay TV is hurting television as a medium, says Match Media’s John Preston.
Sara Madera Director, Member Relations & Marketing	Despite the old adage, silence isn’t always necessarily golden. A hearing-impaired reader in Singapore has written a letter in The Straits Times calling on service providers, including TV platforms and cinemas, to provide the deaf community greater accessibility to media content.
Desmond Chung Associate Director, PR & Communications	Is this a case of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? US online entertainment service Hulu is now reported to be in talks to integrate the platform with established pay-TV operations. While talks are still in the early stages, only time will tell if this turns out to be an unholy alliance or a marriage made in heaven!

Some additional links you might be interested in:

Inmarsat signs Tampa Microwave as partner for Global Xpress terminals

15 November 2013 – Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announced it has signed Tampa Microwave as a terminal partner for land satellite terminals for its forthcoming Global Xpress high-speed broadband service.

Following type-approval by Inmarsat, the 65cm aperture COTS manpack terminal will offer government customers access to the global, secure coverage provided by Inmarsat’s next-generation Global Xpress (GX) satellite network

Global Xpress will offer an unprecedented combination of bandwidth and global coverage, with Inmarsat’s new Ka-band I-5 satellites providing high-speed uplink and downlink data rates, backed by Inmarsat quality standards, reliability and performance. Global Xpress will support government customers requiring highly transportable, secure and reliable terminals for missions of any kind.

Peter Hadinger, President of Inmarsat’s U.S. Government Business, said: “Inmarsat is pleased to include Tampa Microwave as a supplier of land terminals for our Global Xpress network. We intend to qualify the lightweight, portable terminal for Global Xpress operation over a tuning range of up to 1GHz, and to deliver a market-leading end-to-end, man-packable, military-grade satellite communications solution. While Tampa’s government customers have long relied on their terminals for military use, they will soon benefit from global high-rate secure operations that will be introduced across the GX network.”

Tampa Microwave’s Vice President of Advanced Development, Obie Johnson, said: “This collaboration with Inmarsat will give our terminal customers additional options in the performance of quick-reaction expeditionary missions during worldwide operations, accessing Inmarsat’s I-5 constellation bandwidth. We are looking forward to working with Inmarsat to make their service launch a success, and to growing our product and service relationships in ways that are beneficial to both companies and, most importantly, to our customers.”

NBCU Takes Full Ownership of Sprout

(Nov 14, 2013) NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group has bought out its partners PBS and HIT Television Ventures in the cable network and on-demand service Sprout.

NICKELODEON and CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP Collabrate on X’mas Experience in Singapore

NICKELODEON AND CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP COLLABORATE ON AN EXTENSIVE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS-THEMED CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE IN SINGAPORE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS LANDS AT SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT WITH THE WORLD’S TALLEST PINEAPPLE HOUSE STRUCTURE

PARTNERSHIP MARKS SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS’ FIRST AIRPORT COLLABORATION IN ASIA

SINGAPORE, 14 November 2013 – Nickelodeon, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), in collaboration with Changi Airport Group, today announced the landmark launch of an extensive SpongeBob SquarePants-themed Christmas experience at Singapore Changi Airport this holiday season, making it SpongeBob SquarePants’ first airport collaboration in Asia.

“SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the world’s most iconic characters and is beloved by fans everywhere,” said Indra Suharjono, VIMN Asia’s executive vice president and managing director. “Nickelodeon is all about creating surprising and playful entertainment experiences everywhere we go. Hence, we are thrilled to collaborate with Changi Airport Group in SpongeBob SquarePants’ first airport collaboration in Asia to give fans and visitors a fun, one-of-a-kind SpongeBob SquarePants Christmas holiday experience.”

From 15 November 2013 to 5 January 2014, Singaporean families and visitors going through Changi Airport can discover surprises with the following:

The world’s tallest SpongeBob SquarePants’ Giant Pineapple Housestructure at the heart of Terminal 3’s Departure Hall creates an extravaganza of sights and sounds that include ‘smoke bubbles’ lighting up the Bikini-Bottom inspired Pineapple House and a chance to do some sleigh pedaling. The Bikini Bottom-inspired House stands at 11 metres high.

The biggest SpongeBob SquarePants Super Bouncy Playground in Singapore at Terminal 3’s Departure Hall, where kids can take a tumble in the Krusty Krab Ball Pit, challenge themselves in the Pineapple House Maze and cruise their way down giant bouncy slides.

Spot SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends at famous places from around the world through stunning landmarks in giant topiaries such as Italy’s Colosseum and Leaning Tower of Pisa, Russia’s St Basil’s Cathedral and Turkey’s Trojan horse.

Collect limited edition plush toys of SpongeBob and his friends at just $3 per plush toy when visitors shop at Changi Airport.*

Send customized Christmas greetings on Changi Airport’s website (www.changiairport.com/ChangiXmas2013) and stand to win a full set of SpongeBob’s plush toys.

Be among the first 1,000 Changi Rewards members to spend $1,200 during the promotion period to redeem the full SpongeBob SquarePants and Friends plush toys for free.

Since its launch in July 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has emerged a pop culture phenomenon. The series has been the most-watched animated program with kids 2-11 for more than 14 consecutive years, and over the past several years, it has averaged more than 100,000,000 total viewers every quarter across all Nickelodeon networks globally. As the most widely distributed property in Viacom history, SpongeBob is seen in over 170 countries and translated in more than 35 languages.

For more information, visit www.changiairport.com/ChangiXmas2013.

*Public Area: Visitors can take home a plush toy at S$3 when they spend S$60 (S$120 for supermarkets). Collect a new character each week. Transit area: Spend S$150 and get any plush toy at S$3. Choose from six characters.

-end-

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 34th year globally and 15th year in Asia, is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family. Creating surprising and playful entertainment experiences everywhere it goes, Nickelodeon has a portfolio that includes television programming and production around the world, plus special events, consumer products, digital offerings, recreation, books, feature films and pro-social initiatives. Nickelodeon’s brands are seen globally in more than 450 million households in over 100 territories via more than 70 locally programmed channels and syndication. For information about Nickelodeon in Asia, visitwww.nick-asia.com.

About Viacom International Media Networks

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1, VIVA, COLORS, Game One and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom’s blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.

Media Contacts:

Viacom International Media Networks
Adeline Ong, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Asia
t: (65) 6420 7240 m: (65) 9366 7323
e: adeline.ong@vimn.com
Twitter: @VIMNAsia_PR

Loh Bi Feng, Senior Executive, Corporate Communications, Asia

t: (65) 6420 7154 m: (65) 9002 9607

e: loh.bifeng@vimn.com

The Weather Channel Chooses ARRIS to Expand Its Network and Content Experiences

Flexible MPEG-4 encoders enable increased data input to deliver unique, localized content to the consumer

SUWANEE, Ga., Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — ARRIS Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS) today announced The Weather Channel®, has optimized its network to deliver more regionalized data and linear services while reducing bandwidth demands using the ARRIS DSR-4440 and DSR-4460 integrated receiver decoders (IRDs).

“Millions of people around the United States consistently access The Weather Channel for news, updates and their latest weather forecasts from anywhere, any time and on any device,” said George Lott, vice president of localization and broadcast engineering, The Weather Channel. “We’ve worked with ARRIS for years and knew they were ideal to help us optimize bandwidth utilization and ready our network for delivery of more personalized services to the consumer.”

The Weather Channel is upgrading its satellite network using ARRIS MPEG-4 SE-6000 encoders and IRDs to address immediate needs for network capacity for more regionalized data, as well as future unique content experiences. The multi-format IRDs enables MPEG-4 distribution via satellite to affiliates and offers backward compatibility with legacy systems. The overall distribution system increases satellite throughput and future-proofs The Weather Channel brand for the delivery of more personalized services to their customers’ TV sets and connected devices.

“The Weather Channel stands in an ideal position to offer unique content experiences to deliver to consumers their media, their way,” said Bruce McClelland, president, network & cloud, global services, ARRIS. “We worked closely with The Weather Channel to bolster their network for greater bandwidth optimization and flexible MPEG-4 distribution capabilities. Our flexible solution enables The Weather Channel to offer more personalized, localized services in the future.”

About DSR-4440 and DSR-4460 Integrated Receiver Decoders
The ARRIS DSR-4440 and DSR-4460 IRDs decode MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 services over QPSK and DVB-S2 8PSK modulation. The IRDs replace legacy analog and MPEG2 infrastructure, and will deliver simultaneous video and audio, as well as provide robust set of data decapsulation features.

Service and content providers are often looking for innovative ways to improve their network efficiency. The overall ARRIS solution enables more content on more devices by increasing available bandwidth, optimizes current infrastructure, and enables future applications for tomorrow’s entertainment experiences.

The Weather Company: Where the World Gets its Weather
Through The Weather Channel, weather.com, Weather Underground, Intellicast.com, and third-party publishing partners, the company provides millions of people every day with the world’s best weather forecasts, content and data, connecting with them through television, online, mobile and tablet screens. Through WSI and Weather Central, the company delivers superior professional weather services for the media, aviation, marine and energy sectors. The Weather Company is owned by a consortium made up of NBC Universal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. For more information, visit www.weather.com/press.

About ARRIS
ARRIS is a premier video and broadband technology company that transforms how service providers worldwide deliver entertainment and communications without boundaries. Its powerful end-to-end platforms enable service and content providers to improve the way people connect – with each other and with their favorite content. The Company’s vision and expertise continue to drive the industry’s innovations, as they have for more than 60 years. Headquartered north of Atlanta, in Suwanee, Georgia, ARRIS has R&D, sales and support centers throughout the world. For more information: www.arrisi.com

ARRIS and the ARRIS Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARRIS Enterprises, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © ARRIS Enterprises, Inc. 2013. All rights reserved.

SOURCE ARRIS Group, Inc.

The Weather Channel: Melissa Medori, melissa.medori@weather.com; or ARRIS: Kalia Farrell, +1 215-323-1059, kalia.farrell@arrisi.com

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Christopher Slaughter

CEO

John Medeiros

Chief Policy Officer

Jill Grinda

Executive Vice President

Christopher Slaughter

CEO

John Medeiros

Chief Policy Officer

Jill Grinda

Executive Vice President

Sara Madera

Director, Member Relations & Marketing

Desmond Chung

Associate Director, PR & Communications