7DIG.L Regulatory News (7DIG)

25 Jun 2007 07:03

UBC Media Group PLC25 June 2007 25 June 2007 UBC announces software contracts in USA and UK as division reports 31% sales growth XM Satellite Radio and Radio One Inc in the USA implement UBC software solutionsand BBC use UBC software for Digital Radio Mondiale initiative in the UK UBC Media Group plc (UBC:L) today announces the roll out of its UniqueInteractive Division's ManDLS display text software for XM Satellite Radio andRadio One Incorporated in the United States of America. In addition, itannounces that the BBC has chosen Unique Interactive to provide Display Text andElectronic Programme Guide ("EPG") data for their Digital Radio Mondiale ("DRM")trial in the UK. The ManDLS messaging software (branded as "Harris Flexstar DATAplus" for the USterrestrial radio market) has been developed exclusively by UBC and allowsbroadcasters to provide bespoke dynamic messaging that appears on receiverdisplays and compliments the audio experience. The software can be customised toinclude sports scores, weather, news, music track and artist information, aswell as other essential public service information such as the latest trafficnews and emergency alerts. The EPG Management system collates programme schedule information such as thename of the show, the presenter and additional programme details and sends itfor broadcast, for display on DAB, DTTV, DRM, HD Radio and Satellite Radioreceivers. In America, XM Satellite Radio is the largest satellite radio company. Over 8million subscribers to the XM service now have the ability to see enhancedmessaging on their receivers, providing a whole host of additional informationfor over 170 channels. XM Satellite Radio offers 69 commercial-free music channels including exclusivelive concerts and original programming, plus premier sports, talk, comedy,children's and entertainment programming; along with 21 channels of the mostadvanced traffic and weather information across the United States. The Radio One deal is the first major deal to be done by Harris Corporation,UBC's exclusive partner for HD Radio, the approved terrestrial digital radiostandard in the United States. Radio One owns and/or operates 60 radio stationslocated in 19 urban markets in the United States. The BBC's DRM initiative is centred in the South West of England, and is set toassess the practicality of digital radio services in the medium wave bands. DRMis an emerging technology that has been designed to facilitate digital radio atfrequencies below 30 MHz. The trial commenced in April 2007 and will report inmid 2008. Unique Interactive will be supplying their "ManDLS" Display Text andEPG Management software for the trial. Simon Cole, Chief executive of UBC commented: "We are thrilled to see such validation of our investment in software productsfrom major global radio companies. Satellite radio in the US is a fast growingphenomenon. UBC is delighted that XM Satellite Radio chose to provide ourdynamic messaging software solution to their receiver displays. The BBC trialalso fits with our belief that digital radio is ubiquitous and platform agnosticand we very much look forward to working with the BBC towards its successfulcompletion of the trial" Tony Masiello, Senior Vice President of Operations, XM Satellite Radio, said: "XM is focused on utilizing the most relevant technology to deliver a superbsubscriber experience. UBC's advanced messaging software further enhances thatexperience." John Mathews, vice president of engineering, Radio One commented: "Offering our listeners more as they transition to HD Radio is key to ourproposition; Dataplus allows us to add dynamic messaging to the display of HDRadios so that our listeners and advertisers can get added value and feel closerto their local station". John Allen, Head of New Services, BBC English Regions, added "The addition of the EPG on DRM receivers lets users discover our radioprogrammes as easily as possible adding an extra dimension to the trial that wehope will prove compelling to our listeners. Unique Interactive is leading thefield in this area and is already providing EPG services to the UK DAB market." Ends Enquiries Simon Cole, Chief Executive, UBC Media Group plc: Tel: 020 7453 1600 Diane Barnes, Portland for UBC: Tel: 020 7404 5344 Notes to Editors About Unique Interactive Unique Interactive ("UI") is a specialist in Digital Radio & Interactive mediatechnology. UI supplies technology products and services to broadcasters in theUK and around the world. Specializing in data services, UI supply systems thatintegrate with broadcasters' existing technology, adding extra value andcreating additional revenue opportunities for them. UI currently supplies bothDisplay Text and Electronic Programme Guide ("EPG") services to the majority ofUK broadcasters as well as to broadcasters worldwide, including Australia,Canada, Korea and Germany. UI are the market leaders in broadcast data serviceprovision and a leading innovator in the new and emerging field of InteractiveRadio. For additional information about Unique Interactive along with photosand biographies, go to www.uniqueinteractive.com About XM XM is America's number one satellite radio company with more than 8 millionsubscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New YorkCity, Chicago, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Toronto andMontreal, XM's 2007 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choicefrom coast to coast: commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk radio,comedy, children's and entertainment programming; and the most advanced trafficand weather information. XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for theautomobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Hyundai,Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota is available in 140 different vehiclemodels for 2007. XM's industry-leading products are available at consumerelectronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware,programming and partnerships, please visit www.xmradio.com About Radio One Radio One, Inc. (www.radio-one.com) is the nation's seventh largest radiobroadcasting company (based on 2006 net broadcast revenue) and the largest radiobroadcasting company that primarily targets African-American and urbanlisteners. Pro forma for recently announced transactions, Radio One owns and/oroperates 60 radio stations located in 19 urban markets in the United States.Additionally, Radio One owns Magazine One, Inc. (d/b/a Giant Magazine)(www.giantmag.com), interests in TV One, LLC (www.tvoneonline.com), a cable/satellite network programming primarily to African-Americans and Reach Media,Inc. (www.blackamericaweb.com), owner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and otherbusinesses associated with Tom Joyner. Radio One also operates the onlynationwide African-American news/talk network on free radio and programs "XM 169The POWER," an African-American news/talk channel, on XM Satellite Radio. About Harris Broadcast Communications Division About Harris Corporation Harris Corporation is an international communications and information technologycompany serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries.Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of over $4billion and more than 15,000 employees - including more than 6,000 engineers andscientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assuredcommunications(TM)products, systems, and services for global markets, includinggovernment communications, RF communications, broadcast communications, andwireless transmission network solutions. Additional information about HarrisCorporation is available at www.harris.com. About the BBC and National Grid Wireless DRM Trial The trial will be broadcast on 855 kHz. In order to continue listening to BBCRadio Devon after the trial starts, listeners to the current AM service on thisfrequency will need to re-tune to either 95.7 FM or DAB. For more informationor further advice, contact BBC Reception Advice on 08700 100 123. None of BBCRadio Devon's other frequencies are affected by the trial, so listeners to thecountywide service on 103.4 FM or to medium wave in Barnstaple, Exeter andTorbay are affected. See also http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/digitalmediumwave/faqs_feature.shtml XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for theautomobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Hyundai,Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota is available in 140 different vehiclemodels for 2007. XM's industry-leading products are available at consumerelectronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware,programming and partnerships, please visit www.xmradio.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange