BT and VISTA Satellite Communications Team Up to Offer Production and Transmission Services for Super Bowl XXXIX

BT and VISTA Satellite Communications Team Up to Offer Production and Transmission Services for Super Bowl XXXIX

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BT will work in conjunction with VISTA Satellite Communications (VISTA) to offer end to end production and global transmission services for live coverage of Super Bowl XXXIX -- Sunday February 6, 2005. BT Broadcast Services' fully managed and integrated worldwide satellite and fiber network will enable broadcasters to produce and transmit Super Bowl coverage globally. BT and VISTA are also working with local station WJCT-TV, conveniently located adjacent to Alltel Stadium to handle all production requirements.

BT and VISTA Satellite Communications, in conjunction with WJCT-TV, will provide access to a pre-established live stand-up and play out position which has a magnificent backdrop of the Alltel Stadium. Fiber and satellite transmission services will be available to broadcasters beginning Tuesday, January 25, 2005.

Jay Lebowitz, Vice-President of VISTA Satellite Communications, said, "BT and VISTA Satellite Communications are fully capable of handling this major broadcasting task. BT Broadcast Services has the expertise to handle broadcasting many of the world's largest sporting events, which makes them a natural teammate in broadcasting this year's Super Bowl".

On-site coordination and facilitation by BT Broadcast Services and VISTA Satellite Communications at the WJCT-TV studio will allow the delivery of all domestic and international feeds to any destination worldwide. Transmission capabilities will include connectivity from the stadium, uplink and space segment and allow for cost-effective pricing while providing broadcasters with the level of experience and expertise they have come to expect.

Bill McNamara, General Manager of BT Broadcast Services, the Americas said, "An exponentially increasing international audience of NFL fans expect to see every single second of America's most-watched sporting event delivered with the same broadcast quality as the U.S. domestic NFL audience enjoys. BT Broadcast Services and VISTA's combined global broadcasting expertise ensures broadcasters everywhere can meet the challenging demand from their global audiences as the request for Super Bowl coverage increases."

In addition to the production and transmission services offered, broadcasters may also leverage studio, edit and ancillary facilities with BT Broadcast Services and VISTA.

About BT Broadcast Services

BT Broadcast Services is the media and satellite services arm of BT, which designs, develops and manages global broadcast, content management and communications systems. Its international customer base includes broadcasters, content owners and distributors, large corporations and government organizations throughout the world.

BT Broadcast Services provides customized satellite and fiber-based solutions, some of which utilize sophisticated digital content and data management technology, to transport and manage video, audio and data. Delivering live broadcasts from major international events, providing digital terrestrial TV (DTTV) networks and direct to home (DTH) satellite platforms, storing and securely distributing video content to broadband devices, enabling retail digital signage and designing and managing major corporate communications infrastructures are just some of the areas in which BT Broadcast Services excels. An industry pioneer, BT Broadcast Services aims to deliver the highest quality of service, flexibility and efficiency through advanced technology and industry expertise.

BT Broadcast Services is part of BT Global Services.

About BT


BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. Its principal activities include IT and networking services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services.

BT consists principally of three lines of business:

BT Retail, providing fixed and mobile communications services and solutions and IT and networking services to more than 20 million business and residential customers in the UK. It is also a leading UK internet services provider.

BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK to more than 600 fixed and mobile operators and service providers including the provision of broadband, private circuits.

BT Global Services, providing IT and networking services internationally to meet the needs of multi-site organizations with European operations. BT Global Services operates in more than 130 countries and also offers international carrier services.

In the year ended 31 March 2004, BT Group's turnover was 18,519 million pounds sterling with profit before goodwill amortization, exceptional items and taxation of 2,013 million pounds.

BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.

For more information, visit http://www.bt.com/aboutbt

About VISTA


VISTA Satellite Communications is a global leader in the provisioning of full-time and occasional use satellite space segment, network management, television production, videoconferencing services, and broadband applications, including data services & internet webcasting. In addition to our international and domestic satellite transmission services, VISTA provides a full array of broadcast production services, including single and multi-camera studios, remote television production vehicles, and antenna installations.

With more than 100 years of combined experience, VISTA's senior staff has established a global network of service providers, which enable us to provide a comprehensive, turnkey solution for our clients worldwide. From Europe to the Americas, the Middle East to Australia, Asia, Africa, VISTA Satellite Communications continues to establish new standards of excellence for it's global customers.


Source: BT

CONTACT: Cheryl Gale, +1-617-475-1571, Cheryl@bbprus.com, or Liz
Swenton, +1-617-475-1572, Liz@bbprus.com, both of Band & Brown for BT

Web site: http://www.bt.com/
http://www.bt.com/aboutbt


-------
Profile: intent