NTL and Telewest Broadband Launch Video-on-Demand Services in United K

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors

    MAYNARD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 2005--Two of Europe's largest broadband operators, ntl Incorporated (Nasdaq: NTLI) and Telewest Broadband, today set a digital television milestone with the launch of video-on-demand services. Based on SeaChange International's (Nasdaq: SEAC) VOD Systems and movies from its strategic partner On Demand Group, video-on-demand will be made available to digital cable subscribers across the United Kingdom during 2005.
    "The commercial VOD launches of ntl and Telewest Broadband reflect the growing worldwide trend in television and SeaChange is very proud to support their new digital service," said Bill Styslinger, president & CEO, SeaChange International. "SeaChange is anchoring the major commercial on-demand roll-outs across Europe, which reflects the advantages of our open platform, years of deployment and integration experience and unparalleled support throughout the continent."

    Telewest Broadband TV-on-Demand Goes Live in Bristol

    Telewest Broadband's first phase of on-demand service starts today in Bristol, England with extensive movie selections available for pause/fast-forward/rewind convenience. SeaChange VOD Systems continue to be deployed around England and Scotland in support of Telewest Broadband's year-end goal to reach over one million digital subscribers with a growing slate of movies and other programming options.
    "We're transforming television as we know it," said Eric Tveter, Telewest Broadband's president and COO. "Today is only the first step. We plan to ramp up our on-demand services over the year with programs, music and niche content to appeal to all of our one million digital customers."

    "ntl On Demand" Kicks Off in Glasgow

    The "ntl On Demand" service will roll out regionally to ntl DTV customers throughout the U.K. starting today in Glasgow, Scotland. It will provide access to hundreds of hours of programming, including movies, children's programs, a 'Pick of the Week' option showing a selection of top shows from the previous seven days, a music video jukebox service, and adult content. As the service goes live in each ntl region it will be available to ntl digital television subscribers. ntl On Demand will appear within the existing Electronic Programming Guide and subscribers will then be able to select movies and television programs via remote control. Dedicated promotional channels with "red button" enhanced television functionality will also be available.
    "We invested over GBP 9 billion in our high speed fiber optic network so that we could provide leading access services to our customers," said Simon Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of ntl. "VOD is the latest example of this. ntl On Demand gives our customers a wide choice of quality viewing at a time that suits them. VOD is television the way it's meant to be."

    Television Operators Choose SeaChange

    Worldwide, SeaChange is responsible for the majority of commercial on-demand television deployments, providing more than 1.3 million on-demand streams in over 100 locations.
    SeaChange's open VOD System - a comprehensive technology platform incorporating its patented MediaCluster servers, proven IP technology and end-to-end automation software - enables broadband operators to easily initiate and enhance on-demand programming services. This standards-based platform supports an array of third-party software and network components, including ntl's and Telewest Broadband's digital set-top boxes from Pace, Samsung and Scientific-Atlanta, as well as both operators' Liberate middleware.
    ntl and Telewest are collaborating with content provider FilmFlex to support today's breakthrough in European television service. Formerly known as MovieCo, FilmFlex is a joint venture initiative between SeaChange's London-based content partner On Demand Group, Sony Pictures Television International (a Sony Pictures Entertainment company), and Walt Disney Television International (a division of The Walt Disney Company Ltd.).

    About ntl

    ntl Inc. (Nasdaq: NTLI) offers a wide range of communications and entertainment services to residential and business customers throughout the U.K. and Ireland. ntl is the U.K.'s largest cable company and leading broadband supplier with over one million broadband customers and 3 million residential customers. ntl's fiber-optic broadband network can service 7.8 million homes in the U.K. including London, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, Cambridge, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast.

    About Telewest

    Telewest, the broadband communications and media group, currently passes and markets to 4.7 million homes and provides multi-channel television, telephone and internet services to 1.76 million residential customers. For further information go to http://mediacentre.telewest.co.uk

    About SeaChange

    For more than a decade, SeaChange has provided Europe's television companies with strategic digital video systems spanning advertising, video streaming and on-air program delivery. In that time, the Company has assembled a formidable staff of video storage, networking and deployment experts operating from the Valbonne, France customer support center and other locations throughout the continent.
    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

    MediaCluster is a registered trademark of SeaChange International, Inc.

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CONTACT: SeaChange John Coulbourn, 978-897-0100 x3098 johnc@schange.com or ntl Malcolm Padley, +44 (0) 1 207 746 4094 malcolm.padley@ntl.com or Telewest Rachel Turner, +44 (0) 1 483 582140 Rachel.turner@telewest.co.uk

KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS UNITED KINGDOM INTERNATIONAL EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: SeaChange

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