Sunflower Launches On-Demand Television with SeaChange; Debut to Inclu

    Business Editors/Technology Editors

    MAYNARD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 2005--Sunflower Broadband will debut its comprehensive Sunflower On Demand television service in Lawrence, Kan. next month. The broadband operator selected SeaChange International's (Nasdaq: SEAC) VOD System as the platform to bring this digital television advancement to 30,000 cable subscribers in the nation's 31st-largest television market.
    "We've embraced digital television fully to give our subscribers the most exciting applications available on the market today and to set the stage for new ones," said Patrick Knorr, general manager, Sunflower Broadband. "The thrill and convenience of on-demand television is a choice that satellite cannot deliver. It is changing the way cable subscribers enjoy every aspect of television from movies and sports, to news and network programming of all types."
    Sunflower On Demand will initially feature over 1,000 hours of movies and television programs from sources such as NFL Network, HGTV, Food Network, Fine Living, DIY and Showtime.
    "SeaChange has made on-demand television a reality for operators of all sizes," said Bill Styslinger, president and CEO, SeaChange International. "Whether they're serving a few thousand subscribers, or hundreds of thousands, our customers choose SeaChange for the proven economy and reliability of our VOD System and our expertise in rapid deployment. These advantages come only from years of real-world experience in developing, integrating and launching comprehensive on-demand services in a wide array of network settings."
    Throughout the U.S., over 20 million viewers have access to on-demand television. On-demand television provides the viewer with complete control over what they watch and when they watch it. SeaChange's VOD System - a comprehensive technology platform incorporating the patented MediaCluster servers, end-to-end automation software and real-time broadcast recording gear - enables broadband operators to easily initiate and enhance on-demand programming services. Last month, SeaChange collected the first ever Emmy Award for on-demand television, recognizing the company's significant contribution to the widespread availability of such services in U.S. television.

    About Sunflower Broadband

    Sunflower Broadband (formerly known as Sunflower Cablevision) first entered the cable television business in 1970. Since that time, Sunflower has become a leader among independent cable operators in the telecommunications industry. Sunflower is locally owned and operated, and provides cable television and high-speed internet services to residential and business customers in Lawrence, Eudora, Tonganoxie, Basehor and parts of Leavenworth County. Telephone services are also available to customers in Lawrence. Sunflower is part of the World Company, a privately owned Lawrence-based media company that also operates eight area newspapers.
    A converged news partnership between the Lawrence Journal-World, 6NEWS and World Online provides our community with an unparalleled local news and information resource for a community of this size. For more information on Sunflower Broadband, visit their Web site at www.sunflowerbroadband.com.

    About SeaChange

    SeaChange drives the on-demand business with highly automated and fault-resilient digital video systems. Today, SeaChange's VOD Systems provides over 1.3 million on-demand streams in over 100 deployments worldwide, including 17 of the top 25 U.S. television markets.
    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.

--30--MP/bo*

CONTACT: SeaChange International John Coulbourn, 978-897-0100 x3098 johnc@schange.com

KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE SOFTWARE TELEVISION/RADIO CABLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: SeaChange International

Copyright Business Wire 2005