The Tennis Channel Entrusts BT Media and Broadcast With Its Future Transmission Requirements

The Tennis Channel Entrusts BT Media and Broadcast With Its Future Transmission Requirements

WASHINGTON, June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- BT Media and Broadcast today announced that The Tennis Channel, the cable television network devoted to tennis and other racquet sports, has expanded and extended its transmission agreement with BT Media and Broadcast. Due to the success of the agreement during the 2004 season, The Tennis Channel has renewed its commitment for an additional two years, and expanded it to include an increase in the volume of produced events and utilization of BT's fleet of mobile trucks, flyaways and extensive global fiber and satellite network.

BT will take primary responsibility for providing end to end domestic and international services, including advising The Tennis Channel on the most suitable transmission solution for each event, booking and deploying the required resources on BT's global network and those of any 3rd parties, and overseeing all aspects of the transmission on the actual day of each event.

"BT Media offers a unique, far-reaching global infrastructure that's agile and accommodates our transmission needs, regardless of whether we're covering a tournament in the United States or abroad," said Larry Meyers, vice president of production and executive producer, The Tennis Channel. "Their commitment to this fundamental piece of our business is what impresses us most, and we look forward to continuing our great relationship with them over the next two years."

Bill McNamara, General Manager for BT Media and Broadcast, the Americas said: "BT has been able to provide The Tennis Channel with tailored global network solutions that are both creative and robust. We have the infrastructure to be able to offer The Tennis Channel the flexibility they need as a successful growing business. We've become an extension of their team and will continue to deliver the service The Tennis Channel and other customers have become accustomed to."

BT will provide The Tennis Channel with the ability to gather content for distribution from worldwide tennis venues to BT's state-of-the-art media center in LA using BTM&B's global satellite and fiber infrastructure- including domestic and international space, fiber and mobile transmission solutions. This year, The Tennis Channel will air more than 2,400 hours of domestic and international tournament competition, including live, in-depth coverage of the US Open Series, ATP Masters Series, top-tier WTA Tour tournaments and the game's three prestigious international team cups: Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Hopman Cup, in addition to many other tennis and racquetball sporting events.

Note to editors:

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 networked IT 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 networked IT services to meet the needs of multi-site organizations globally. BT Global Services operates in more than 130 countries and also offers international carrier services.

In the year ended 31 March 2005, BT Group's turnover was 18,623 million pounds sterling with profit before goodwill amortization, exceptional items and taxation of 2,085 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 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 fiber-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 organizations with European operations.

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

The Tennis Channel (http://www.thetennischannel.com/) is the cable television network devoted to tennis and other racquet sports, and provides unparalleled coverage of the game, its elite championships and its superstar athletes. The network's comprehensive coverage includes telecasts of the US Open Series, ATP Masters Series, top-tier WTA Tour championship competitions, Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, Fed Cup and Hyundai Hopman Cup. The Tennis Channel also showcases instruction from the finest teachers, legendary matches, in- depth profiles of the greatest players, analysis and news, the latest on equipment, and tennis getaways.

Source: BT Media and Broadcast

CONTACT: Cheryl Gale, +1-617-475-1571, Cheryl@marchpr.com, or Liz Swenton, +1-617-475-1572, Liz@marchpr.com, both of March Communications

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

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