BSkyB names key suppliers for HDTV launch

April 15th, 2005 -British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) announces today that it has signed a number of further contracts with technology and equipment suppliers ahead of the forthcoming launch of its High-Definition Television (HDTV) service.

Following last month's announcement that Thomson would be the initial manfacturer of Sky's HDTV set-top box, the latest agreements ensure that BSkyB remains on track to launch HDTV in the UK and Ireland in 2006.

Details of the supplier contracts are as follows:

Sony: Sony will construct and equip a new HDTV studio at BSkyB's Isleworth
headquarters and supply additional equipment for edit suites and dubbing
facilities at the same site.  Sony equipment in the new studios will include
the latest HDC-1500 studio cameras and over 60 HDCAM and HDCAM SR format
VTRs, complemented by MVS-8000A series multiformat production switchers and
DVS-8000 digital effects plus Sony HD LCD monitors. In addition, Sony will
support BSkyB's transition to HDTV production with an innovative staff
training package.

TANDBERG Television: BSkyB will deploy TANDBERG Television's MPEG-4 part 10
(H.264/AVC) video encoding and distribution system for the launch of its
HDTV service.  The use of a TANDBERG Television HD video head-end with
statistical multiplexing and TANDBERG EN5990 HD MPEG-4 AVC encoders will
enable both very efficient bandwidth utilisation and high picture quality.

Harris Corporation: The Harris D-Series Version 4 Air Automation System will
support delivery of BSkyB's HDTV programming.  The tapeless ingest and
playout system will offer high levels of reliability and flexibility, as
well as the ability to deliver programming in both high- and
standard-definition formats.

Further technology and equipment suppliers will be named in due course as
BSkyB progresses the development of its HDTV service.

Alun Webber, BSkyB's Group Director of Engineering and Platform Technology,
said:

"The launch of HDTV is the most significant development for BSkyB's
broadcast infrastructure since the launch of Sky digital in 1998.  These
supplier contracts keep us on track to launch HDTV in 2006 and ensure that
Sky customers continue to receive the highest-quality viewing experience
available."