Media and Broadcast Division to Deliver BT's Strategic Vision for Digital Content Management

Media and Broadcast Division to Deliver BT's Strategic Vision for Digital Content Management

WASHINGTON, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- BT Broadcast Services, which has been supporting the broadcast industry for over 40 years, will lead BT's global media and broadcast offering in response to the rapidly growing market for digital content. The division today takes on a new name -- BT Media and Broadcast (BTM&B) -- and integrates BT Rich Media, which develops channels to market for digital content.

BT Media and Broadcast today also unveiled plans to establish a truly global capability with the development of digital media hubs that will be operational within 12 months in continental Europe, the US and Asia.

This global offering and new structure will build on BTM&B's investment in its UK-based 'BT Mediahive' digital content management capabilities, enabling it to capture, store, manage and distribute any type of media file, including video, audio and still images.

'BT Mediahive', in partnership with software partner Blueprint, is already providing a unique marketplace for the secure global distribution of digital music. Further applications, currently in development, will cover film and television production, digital cinema and advertising, in addition to bespoke solutions for individual market sectors.

BTM&B will continue to support the broadcast industry with solutions to transport and manage video, audio and data, delivering greater value and efficiencies through the outsourcing of non-core business functions in a managed services approach. The recently-established BT Entertainment division will also take advantage of BTM&B's capabilities to deliver compelling consumer-facing broadband content.

Andy Green, CEO BT Global Services said: "BTM&B's broadcast and media management expertise and extensive global reach provides a solid base upon which a new generation of media asset and digital content management capabilities have been built. The market for digital content grows exponentially year on year and BT fully intends to become a leader in this space."

About BT Media and Broadcast

BT Media and Broadcast (BTM&B) is the digital media and broadcast services arm of BT, which is responsible for the provision of fully managed broadcast services and the development of the commercial opportunities presented by digital content. Its international customer base includes broadcasters and content and rights owners within the television, film and media industries, along with the corporate and government sectors.

BTM&B provides bespoke satellite and fibre-based solutions, using 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 and storing and securely distributing video content to broadband devices are just some of the areas in which BTM&B excels. An industry pioneer, BTM&B aims to deliver the highest quality of service, flexibility and efficiency through advanced technology and industry expertise.

BTM&B is part of BT Global Services. BT Global Services is BT's business services division, which serves multi-site organisations with European operations.

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

About BT Mediahive

BT Mediahive allows the capture, storage, management and distribution of any type of media file, including video, audio and still images. The system is integrated into BTM&B's international fibre and satellite network, and controlled via its International Media Centre (IMC) at BT Tower, London. Digitised content, with or without rights management, can be securely transported anywhere in the world to any media enabled device, including television, PCs and mobile phones.

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 a comprehensive range of communications and related services to more than 20m UK consumers and businesses.

* 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 and private circuits.

* BT Global Services, providing IT and networking services to meet the needs of multi-site organisations globally. 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 amortisation, exceptional items and taxation of 2,013 million pounds Sterling.

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

Source: BT Media and Broadcast

CONTACT: Paul Borge, +44 (0) 20 7419 6953, paulb@bbpr.com, or Adam Barber, +44 (0) 20 7419 8631, adam@bbpr.com, both of Band & Brown Communications; or Liz Swenton, +1-617-475-1572, liz@marchpr.com, or Cheryl Gale, +1-617-475-1571, cheryl@marchpr.com, both of March Communications, all for BT Media and Broadcast; or BT Group Newsroom, +44 (0) 20 7356 5369

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

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