Anystream, SeaChange Introduce Agility VOD Automated Video-on-Demand C

    Business Editors/Technology Writers
    NAB2005

    LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2005--Anystream, Inc., and SeaChange International (Nasdaq:SEAC) today introduced Agility VOD, a jointly designed and marketed product that simplifies VOD content production and distribution, based on the digital media workflow automation and on-demand television expertise of the two companies, respectively.
    Agility VOD lets broadcasters, networks and other content producers efficiently and flexibly extend programming and advertising to new VOD markets while delivering the automation and scalability required to support emerging business models. Based on CableLabs standards, Agility VOD generates content that is compliant with all VOD systems.
    Unlike other VOD content assembly solutions, Agility VOD provides a unified workflow for encoding, metadata entry, content enhancement, asset assembly, ADI packaging, production review and network delivery. Like all Anystream Agility products, Agility VOD ingests all media formats (tape, file and live input) and provides sophisticated preprocessing functionality that lets content producers automate such routine tasks as bug insertion, fade in/out and audio normalization between segments. This unique functionality lets VOD content assembly happen without tying up valuable production systems and staff.
    Additionally, Agility's highly scalable, extensible enterprise architecture lets content providers seamlessly add capacity to handle massive demand and add modules to repurpose media for the Web, IPTV, mobile and more.
    "On-demand television represents a clear opportunity for content producers to extend their brand, their programming and their advertising opportunities," said Stuart Lipson, vice president Content Solutions, SeaChange International. "Together with Anystream, we are providing a cost-effective, standards-based platform that will enable content producers to reach new audiences and to fully leverage the value of their programming costs across all platforms."
    "Robust consumer demand for VOD content exists, but is largely unmet due to a shortage of available content," said Fady Lamaa, Anystream product marketing vice president. "Anystream has delivered scalable, automated solutions that enable the world's largest media companies to cost-effectively repurpose content for the Web. By teaming with the most respected VOD brand in the industry, we can now deliver the same economies of scale required to support widespread VOD content production," he said.
    Agility VOD will be jointly marketed and distributed by Anystream and SeaChange in the U.S. and internationally. The companies will demonstrate Agility VOD at the SeaChange exhibit (booth SU 6557) and Anystream exhibit (booth SL 3316) at the National Association of Broadcasters trade show, April 18th-21st, in Las Vegas. Agility VOD will be in pilot deployments with three Anystream large-scale content producers beginning in May, with commercial release scheduled for early summer.
    SeaChange has established its expertise in the dynamics of television on-demand, advertising sales and broadcast operations. SeaChange systems enable top cable operators to offer thousands of hours of content, with the automation that ensures content is properly distributed, that ads and promos are updated, and that user interfaces conform to current selections. Content metadata is critical to the process and SeaChange's AME (Automated Metadata Encoding) tool is part of the new Agility VOD platform.
    Anystream's Agility software facilitates broadcast digital media workflows by eliminating conversion steps during production and automating time-consuming processes required to repurpose broadcast media for optimal online viewing. Agility automatically ingests and outputs media in leading broadcast server, editing and streaming formats for exchange between editing systems, play-to-air servers, news production systems, streaming and Web servers. Agility delivers the reliability and economies of scale required to support efficient broadcast operations, Web publishing and syndication revenue opportunities.

    About SeaChange International

    SeaChange drives the on-demand business with highly automated and fault-resilient digital video systems. Today, SeaChange systems are in over 100 deployments, including 17 of the top 25 television markets, for North America's largest television operators including Adelphia, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications, Insight, Mediacom, RCN, Rogers and Time Warner Cable, as well internationally for ntl, Telewest and others.
    SeaChange provides digital video systems that are changing television. Its powerful server and software systems enable television operators to provide new on-demand services and to gain greater efficiencies in advertising and content delivery. With its Emmy-winning MediaCluster technology, thousands of SeaChange systems are helping broadband, broadcast and satellite television companies to streamline operations, expand services and increase revenues. SeaChange is headquartered in Maynard, Massachusetts and has product development, support and sales offices throughout the world. Visit www.schange.com.

    About Anystream, Inc.

    Anystream software automates digital media production and distribution. The world's leading broadcasters use its Agility products to automatically encode and transcode streaming, broadcast and production formats. Its Apreso products are used by institutions of higher education to automatically capture and publish lectures for online student review. Anystream awards include the Frost and Sullivan Market Leadership Award, Presentations Magazine's Standing Ovation Award, PC Magazine's 2003 Technical Excellence Awards Finalist and COMDEX Best of Show Finalist, Entrepreneur Magazine's "Hot 100," and Deloitte & Touche's "Fast 50." Anystream, Inc. is funded by SCP Private Equity Partners, Falcon Private Equity L.P. and Citigroup Investments, Inc. Anystream is based in Sterling, VA.

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CONTACT: To arrange for a demonstration at NAB contact: Anystream, Inc. Fady Lamaa, +1 703 948 3055 flamaa@anystream.com or SeaChange International Bill Thompson, +1 978 889 3098 bthompson@schange.com or For media information contact: Anystream Darian Germain, +1 703 948 3063 dgermain@anystream.com or SeaChange John Coulbourn, +1 978 889 3098 johnc@schange.com

KEYWORD: NEVADA VIRGINIA MASSACHUSETTS TRACK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS TELEVISION/RADIO CABLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE TRADESHOW PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Anystream, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005