Scientific-Atlanta encoders -- they use CUBE, correct?................
-NTL: NTL wins movies-on-demand video distribution contract
M2 PRESSWIRE-9 March 1998-NTL: NTL wins movies-on-demand video distribution contract (C)1994-98 M2
COMMUNICATIONS LTD
UK cable consortium Front Row has awarded NTL Satellite Services a multi-million pound satellite contract to deliver the
new five-channel movies-on-demand service to UK cable networks.,/b> The consortium, which comprises Telewest, NTL,
General Cable and Diamond Cable, launches its service on 12 March to a potential audience of 1.3 million people.
NTL is providing a one-stop-shop solution for Front Row, including terrestrial circuits to the play out centre, MPEG digital
compression equipment, the uplink facilities and satellite capacity.
Outlining the consumer benefits of the new movies-on-demand service Andy Birchall, chief executive of On Demand
Management, the managing agent for Front Row, said: "It gives cable TV viewers the chance to choose and pay for the films
they want to watch at the time that suits them. We aim to set new standards for cable TV family viewing in terms of choice,
quality and value."
The Service will be provided using NTL's new satellite distribution platform on the recently launched GE-1E/Sirius2 satellite
and transmissions will be encrypted to prevent unauthorised viewing. The NTL platform, which uses. the Scientific Atlanta
digital compression system, will also be available to other broadcasters to purchase individual compressed channels for
transmission throughout Europe. The high power satellite allows reception on dishes as small as 80 cm across most of the
continent, and coverage extends to eastern Europe and the Baltic States.
Andreas Georghiou, senior vice president of global satellite services for GE Americom, believes that the partnership with NTL
is key to exploring new markets. "This agreement puts GE-1E in the forefront of satellite operators in Europe. NTL has an
excellent reputation for providing high quality transmission services. When that is combined with the GE-1E footprint, the new
distribution platform is sure to be a great success."
NTL began offering satellite services in September 1993 and since then has become a major supplier of full-time services for
European direct-to-home broadcasting and worldwide contribution and distribution feeds. The company has in place
high-capacity fibre-optic digital links to and from London, providing connectivity with the nerve centre of European
programme production.
NOTE TO EDITORS
1. NTL's Satellite Services group is a rapidly expanding part of one of the UK's most innovative companies offering a wide
range of satellite uplinking services. From extensive teleport facilities near Winchester and in central London, NTL provides
uplinking to all the main satellites including Astra, Eutelsat, Intelsat, Orion and PanAmSat. Major customers include BBC,
Flextech, Music Choice Europe, Turner Broadcasting and TV New Zealand.
2. NTL provides transmission and broadcast services in the UK for the whole of ITV, Channel 4, S4C, Channel 5 and most
independent radio stations. The NTL group also includes the six CableTel regional cable franchises and is now a major player
in the national telecommunications arena. Services include a national digital telecoms network, cable television, local and
business telephony, Internet facilities, mobile radio communications, visual communications, international satellite links and 2
turnkey systems.
3. GE Americom pioneered the distribution of video programming via geostationary satellites in the US market from as early
as 1973. GE Americom boasts one of the world's largest satellite operations, including 11 US domestic satellites, GE-1E in
Europe, and an equity investment in the NahuelSAt South American satellite system. GE Americom is headquartered in
Princeton, New Jersey, although GE-1E services for Europe are available through the London office of GE Capital Europe
Ltd. GE Americom's key international customers include Viacom, NBC, Deutsche Welle, NHK Discovery, and Time
Warner/Turner. GE Americom also provides VSAT business services through its GE Spacenet subsidiary.
CONTACT: Bruce Randall/Emma Bickerdike, NTL Tel: +44 (0)1962-822582 Lee Nugent/Paul Hildrew, Nelson Bostock
Communications Tel: +44 (0)171-229 4400
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