ProSiebenSat.1 Produktion to Install Harris Corporation Broadcast Playout Solution as Part of a Multi-Million Euro Modernization

ProSiebenSat.1 Produktion to Install Harris Corporation Broadcast Playout Solution as Part of a Multi-Million Euro Modernization

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (IBC2008, Stand 7.G20) -- Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has been selected to provide a large playout automation and server solution to ProSiebenSat.1 Produktion to meet the broadcaster's exacting requirements at its new digital playout center in Munich, Germany. ProSiebenSat.1 Produktion is the largest business unit and a wholly owned subsidiary of ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG -- one of the biggest and most successful pan-European broadcasting groups.

The new Harris system features 34 NEXIO AMP(TM) advanced media platforms for recording, quality control and playout, five Velocity ESX(TM) on-SAN (storage area network) HD/SD editing systems and an ADC(TM) playout automation system. Harris will provide project support, training and commissioning on- site for the latest project, which is scheduled to be completed in March 2009.

The new system forms an integral part of the workflow solution at ProSiebenSat.1, helping to provide an expandable, tapeless infrastructure able to support the company's cross-location and international cooperation requirements, and improve its long-term competitiveness in the European market. It is part of an ongoing multi-million euro investment by ProSiebenSat.1 to transform its current infrastructure into a future-proof digital broadcast complex. The new solution will allow ProSiebenSat.1 to efficiently manage its digital assets -- in parallel and across all media -- using standardized, automated processes, thereby reducing its dependence on manual procedures.

"The installation of the NEXIO AMP servers and Velocity ESX editors, together with ADC playout automation, is another major step toward our ambition to create an entirely tapeless operation, and cements ProSiebenSat.1's reputation as a leading player in the broadcast industry," said Dr. Christian Wegner, managing director of ProSiebenSat.1 Produktion. "We chose to work with Harris not only because of our past experience with the company, but also because Harris technology delivers optimal results.

"Our requirements for this upgrade were specific and rigorous, but the Harris portfolio was able to meet our criteria," Wegner continued. "The ability of the NEXIO AMP server to provide back-to-back playout of multiple formats on every channel with an extensive range of I/O types, perform automatic up/down/cross conversion and host software-enabled media applications will improve our workflow from acquisition through transmission."

Once installed, the NEXIO SAN at ProSiebenSat.1 will ingest up to 20 SD and seven HD channels, allowing the broadcaster to simultaneously record numerous feeds across all formats. The system will feature eight interlinked storage domains, totaling 86 TB of online storage capacity and possessing an impressive combined copy speed of 13 Gb/s. MXF file exchange will facilitate the movement of content -- together with its associated metadata -- very quickly around the facility. This file-based workflow will provide ProSiebenSat.1 with operational efficiency and creative freedom through a unified networked environment.

"Harris has worked very successfully with ProSiebenSat.1 throughout the broadcast leader's transition to a tapeless workflow environment," said Richard Scott, vice president, Europe, the Middle East and Africa operations for Harris Broadcast Communications. "This latest installation represents a significant project for Harris, and we are pleased to once again provide support for ProSiebenSat.1 in the ongoing modernisation of their infrastructure."

ProSiebenSat.1 Group has two sites in Germany -- one in Berlin, where the station's Sat.1 and N24 are based -- and the new playout facility in Munich. Housing studios for live recording of television programs and production, the Berlin site is home to the first German installation of the Harris(R) Platinum(TM) router.

Harris Broadcast Communications offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions that span the entire media delivery chain. The Harris ONE(TM) solution brings together highly integrated and cost- effective products that are ideal for emerging media business models and for customers upgrading media operations to digital and high-definition services.

About the ProSiebenSat.1 Group

The ProSiebenSat.1 Group is one of the largest and most successful pan- European broadcasting groups, with 26 commercial TV stations, 24 premium Pay TV channels and 22 radio networks. The corporation's core business is Free TV. With its four stations, Sat.1, ProSieben, kabel eins and N24, it owns Germany's largest family of commercial TV channels. Additionally, the Group operates the leading premium Pay-TV channel C-More in the nordic regions. 9Live, the market leader in Call TV, Germany's largest video-on-demand platform maxdome, and innovative Internet services like MyVideo.de are further activities with which the Group has increasingly been diversifying its sources of revenue.

In June 2007, the ProSiebenSat.1 Group acquired SBS Broadcasting Group. The company has around 6.000 employees Europe-wide and is headquartered in Unterfohring/Munich. It is included in the German MDAX. For more information about the ProSiebenSat.1 Group and its subsidiaries, see the Web site at www.prosiebensat1.com

About ProSiebenSat.1 Produktion GmbH

ProSiebenSat.1 Produktion, a wholly owned ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG subsidiary, is the ProSiebenSat.1 Group's largest business unit, with around 1,000 employees. The company makes an important contribution to the Group's success in the core areas Production, Creative Solutions, Broadcasting Services, and Technology. Its portfolio of services ranges from outdoor, studio and post-production via on air design and promotion to integrated asset management and transmission handling services for more than ten TV stations.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of more than $5.3 billion and 16,500 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications(R) products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

Source: Harris Corporation

CONTACT: Meriam Khan, MKM Marketing Communications, +44 (0)20 8141 4703,
meriam@mkm-marcomms.com

Web site: http://www.prosiebensat1.com/
http://www.harris.com/

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