BBC Technology Delivers Content Streaming for Discovery Networks International
New Contract for BBC Technology's Internet Solutions to Encode, Host and Stream Programming
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2004--
BBC Technology, provider of products and services to global media-driven organizations, today announced a new contract with Discovery Networks International to provide high-bandwidth streamed program content to Discovery Channel website users via BBC Technology's dedicated broadband service in international markets outside the United States. Under the terms of the agreement, BBC Technology's Internet Solutions team will encode programs onto a digital platform and provide content hosting and streaming, thereby laying the foundation for future multi-channel content delivery of Discovery Network's family of 10 international channels. (BBC Technology, booth #SU8469, National Association of Broadcasters conference, Las Vegas, April 17 - 22, 2004).
Discovery's broadband site (www.discoverybroadband.co.uk) is currently available in the United Kingdom and provides website users with indexed video clips and in-depth information related to programs and series appearing on Discovery Channel and Discovery Home & Leisure. The U.K. service is available to any website user on a pay-per-view or subscription basis.
"In this new, multi-platform world we live in, it's vital that we can provide our audiences with content in whatever format they want it, wherever and whenever they want," said Tanya Field, vice president, new media, Discovery Networks International. "BBC Technology will help us make the most of our content by optimizing accessibility of program material as well as the audiences' experience of it. In addition, we will be able to create new revenue opportunities by offering fresh and compelling forms of interaction with our programming."
The implementation utilizes several elements of BBC Technology's Internet Solutions portfolio, including: content encoding, digital rights management capabilities and intelligent network delivery.
According to Phil Fearnley, commercial director for BBC Technology, "This new service means that Discovery can give its audiences new ways of engaging with its programs. The increase in the number of households with broadband can only enhance what Discovery is doing."
Discovery Networks International selected BBC Technology on the strength of its proven experience in providing rich media Internet services to the broadcast community, such as www.bbc.co.uk, which provides more than 30 live streams and more than 100,000 on-demand clips at any one time, and is Europe's largest streaming website.
BBC Technology's Internet Solutions is one element of the organization's products and services portfolio, which enable media-driven organizations to create, manage, distribute and archive content.
About BBC Technology's Internet Solutions
BBC Technology's Internet Solutions team delivers a combination of rich media Internet services to help the broadcast community maximize the value of its content by optimizing audience reach and user experience. Services include: content acquisition, packaging and management; digital rights management (DRM) capabilities, and network distribution. The services are available on BBC Technology's highly scalable and reliable media platform based in the U.K. The infrastructure manages 1.3 billion page impressions each month for Europe's largest content website, bbc.co.uk, and has streamed 70 terabytes of rich media content in one month alone. Other customers include: RealNetworks, KPMG, the Office of National Statistics and the BBC's Digital Curriculum.
About Discovery Networks International
Discovery Networks International's (DNI) diverse portfolio includes ten TV channels; Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, People + Arts, Discovery Home & Leisure, Discovery Health, Discovery Civilisation, Discovery Science, Discovery Travel & Adventure, Discovery Kids and Discovery Wings. Programming is customized into 34 languages and broadcast on 67 unique feeds.
DNI's parent, Discovery Communications Inc., is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company, which runs 14 unique TV brands. Launched in the US in 1985, the company now operates in 155 countries and territories with more than 1 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI also consists of Discovery.com, Discovery Consumer Products and Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI is privately held; ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L), Cox Communications, Inc. (NYSE: COX), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder, Chairman and CEO.
About BBC Technology
Founded in March 2001, BBC Technology provides products and services for both the BBC and other global media-driven organizations. Drawing on eight decades of pioneering technical expertise and innovation for the BBC, BBC Technology helps organizations create, manage and distribute content more effectively across multiple platforms. BBC Technology's products and services include: the award-winning Colledia(TM) product portfolio, Colledia(TM) Control, media communications, Internet solutions, and consulting services. Customers include: BBC News, BSkyB, DIRECTV Inc., ESPN Inc., Hutchison 3G, SABC and Scottish Enterprise.
The BBC is currently managing the sale of BBC Technology, which will also incorporate a procurement process for a new technology services contract for the Corporation (see press release, 'BBC to Sell Technology Subsidiary', November 27, 2003). The move follows a strategic review of the BBC's technology requirements for the next decade, which identified potential annual savings for the BBC of between GBP 20-GBP 30m if its technology services were outsourced. Combining the procurement process with the sale of BBC Technology as a whole means the BBC can leverage maximum value and, as a result, invest more money in its programs and services. The move offers growth opportunities for the 1400 staff at BBC Technology as the company is attracting bids from major technology businesses with scale and expertise. It is anticipated that the process will be complete in Autumn 2004.
Contacts
BBC Technology
Natasha Redford,
+44 (0) 207 765 1096 / +44 (0) 7736 481 271
natasha.redford@bbc.co.uk
or
Discovery Networks Europe
Simon Avis, +44 (0) 207 462 3731,
simon_avis@discovery-europe.com
or
Sterling Communications Inc.
K.C. Du Fay, +1 415 749 6550
kcdufay@sterlingpr.com
or
Bite Communications
Hugo Brailsford, + 44 (0) 20 8834 3467
hugo.brailsford@bitepr.com
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