Thomson (Euronext 18453; NYSE: TMS) – the worldwide leader in video solutions for the Communication, Media & Entertainment (CME) industries – today announced that its Technicolor Services division has completed a long term agreement for Technicolor to provide NBC Universal with international broadcast distribution and media management services. Additionally, Technicolor has acquired NBC Universal’s broadcast distribution center in Denver, Colorado.
As the leading global provider of managed services for the CME industries, the Technicolor Services division delivers best-in-class managed services with operational excellence in content creation, management and distribution.
Under the terms of the long term service agreement, Technicolor will manage the preparation and international distribution of a total of 31 NBC Universal channels, of which 19 will be managed from the Denver facility and the balance managed from existing Technicolor facilities in London, Paris and Singapore, with the expectation for significant growth tied to the global expansion of NBC Universal’s Global Networks.
In total, Technicolor will manage the preparation and distribution of 23 channels out of the Denver facility, the 19 Hallmark International channels owned by NBC Universal throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America, the two East and West coast channels of the Hallmark Channel in the US owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., and the two Altitude Sports Network channels, a regional cable TV sports network operated by KSE Media Ventures LLC.
This transaction marks Technicolor’s first broadcast facility in the United States, and provides Technicolor with an excellent base for continued growth and customer penetration throughout North and South America. In addition, this enhances its ability to deliver global managed services for the preparation, management, and broadcast distribution of multiple forms of content for a wide range of new and existing customers, including media companies, content owners, and channel operators. It also marks the expansion of a successful long term relationship with NBC Universal in Europe and Asia.
“We look forward to drawing on the combined expertise of Thomson and the experienced team in Denver,” said Ian Trombley, NBC Universal Executive Vice President for Media Distribution Services. “This expanded relationship will play a significant part in supporting NBC Universal Global Networks’ international growth plans for programming and channels.”
“We are proud to continue our successful partnership with NBC Universal,” said Lanny Raimondo, senior executive vice president of Thomson’s Technicolor Services division. “By providing industry-leading broadcast management and distribution services, we’re pleased to successfully support NBC Universal and its strategic initiatives.”
“NBC Universal’s impressive broadcast facility in Denver represents a major step forward in the global strategy and expansion for Technicolor in North America,” said Bill Patrizio, president, of Technicolor Network Services. “Technicolor is committed to offering world class services to the media and broadcast markets and is a leader in enabling the digital transformation required in a progressively convergent world. Additionally, to be chosen as a preferred partner for broadcast distribution managed services for NBC Universal worldwide further demonstrates our strength and capabilities in the global broadcast market.”
These agreements represent a significant extension of Technicolor’s world class capabilities in live broadcasting, media management, and supporting expertise in digital media workflows and systems integration. Technicolor offers its customers a worldwide resource to manage its broadcast operations including facilities located in the UK, the Netherlands, France, Japan and Singapore. Today, the company operates 23 facilities that deliver 320 feeds and over 2.5 million hours of programming around the world for leading CME organizations such as ITV, BBC Worldwide, Canal+, M6, NBC Universal, TV5 Monde, The Walt Disney Company, MTV, Orange and Netherlands Public Broadcasting.
About Thomson: the worldwide leader in video solutions
Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) is the world leading provider of solutions for the creation, management, delivery and access of video, for the Communication, Media & Entertainment (CME) industries. Our clients are studios, broadcasters, network operators (telcos, broadband, satellite and cable operators) and an increasing range of professional users of videos. We deliver superior value to our customers through a unique combination of industry leading technologies, systems and services, enabling us to offer differentiated and innovative end-to-end solutions based on a broad portfolio of Intellectual Property. At the cross-roads of the CME industries, leveraging our core competencies in video but also audio, data and voice, we enable our customers to take advantage of the growth opportunities brought on by the digital convergence revolution. For more information: http://www.thomson.net
About NBC Universal:
NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.
