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Turner's CNN Selects GE-5 for SNG Services
PRINCETON, NJ, May 11, 1999
GE American Communications, Inc. (GE Americom), a subsidiary of GE Capital, announced today that Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS) has agreed to use GE Americom satellite capacity to transmit digital and analog satellite newgathering (SNG) feeds.
Under the agreement, TBS subsidiary, CNN, will utilize two 54 MHz, 55-watt Ku-band transponders located on GE-5 at 79° W.L. One transponder will be used exclusively to backhaul CNN network SNG feeds, while the second will transport CNN Newsbeam material and provide SNG capacity for CNN's domestic affiliates.
Due to the high power and wide bandwidth of the GE-5 transponders, CNN will be able to simultaneously transmit eight digitally compressed signals, or a combination of one analog signal and four compressed channels onto either of the two transponders.
"Having the ability to load this many signals onto the GE-5 transponders will aid our newgathering efforts tremendously and give us incredible flexibility," says Frank Barnett, director of CNN Newsbeam. "Our migration to the GE-5 transponders fits exactly into our plans to transition from analog to digital satellite newsgathering feeds. In addition, GE's past and future commitment to digital and analog SNG services made it an easy decision to commit to a long term agreement with GE."
Carl Capista, vice president of Satellite Services, North America, expressed his pleasure with the TBS' decision, "Whenever a news service and technology leader as prestigious as CNN elects to use our services we are justifiably proud. Long-term commitments such as CNN's demonstrate a confidence in our quality service, satellite technologies and people."
GE-5 was launched in October 1998 to serve the SNG, Occasional Services, VSAT, Business Television and Broadband Data markets. GE-5 is an all Ku-band satellite with sixteen 55-watt, 54 MHz transponders. This bandwidth configuration allows customers to simultaneously carry two analog signals or a combination of analog and digital channels on a single transponder. To ensure satellite transponder availability during peak demand periods, a dedicated pool of occasional GE-5 transponders is available to news customers. Occasional service booking and satellite access times are made through GE Americom's 24-hour booking center. News customers also use Americom's SkySwitchä SNG service, a simultaneous, two-way voice and video connection between news bureaus and their SNG vehicles.
The CNN News Group is one of the largest and most profitable news and information companies in the world. The hub of the CNN News Group is CNN/U.S., the U.S. news network and flagship of the Group. Altogether, the CNN News Group comprises six cable networks (CNN/U.S., CNN Headline News, CNN International, CNNfn, CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN en Español), three private, out-of-home place-based networks, two radio networks, ten Web sites and CNN Newsource, the world's most extensively syndicated news service. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., is a major producer of news and entertainment around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
With more than twenty years' experience, GE American Communications, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer and a leading provider of global satellite communications solutions. These solutions primarily provide the distribution of broadcast and cable television programming and digital/Broadband Data Services over satellite. GE Americom currently operates twelve satellites providing satellite-based solutions to North America. In Europe, GE-1E provides high-powered Ku-band service for European and Middle Eastern television markets. With the launch of GE-4 and as an owner of Argentine satellite operator NahuelSAt, GE Americom is committed to the delivery of satellite-based communications throughout South and Latin America. And with the planned launch of its first Asian satellite, GE-1A, GE Americom's satellite interests will reach more than 90% of the world's population. Some of GE Americom's key international customers include Viacom, Discovery, NBC, NHK, Disney, Deutsche Welle and Merlin.
GE Capital, with assets of over US$300 billion, is a global, diversified financial services company with 28 specialized businesses. A wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric Company, GE Capital, based in Stamford. CT, provides equipment management, mid-market and specialized financing, specialty insurance and a variety of consumer services, such as car leasing, home mortgages and credit cards, to businesses and individuals around the world. GE is a diversified services, technology and manufacturing company with operations worldwide.
Contact: Monica Morgan
609-987-4143
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