Time Warner Inc. Announces Widespread Distribution of Cable TV Content Online

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Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:55am EDT

Comcast and Time Warner Develop Principles for "TV Everywhere Model"

Comcast to Begin National Technical Trial of "On Demand Online"
NEW YORK & PHILADELPHIA--(Business Wire)--
Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) announced today that it has partnered with Comcast
Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) to develop broad principles for the TV
Everywhere model to guide the distribution of its television content online. The
agreement between the companies will make it possible for Comcast customers to
access programming from Turner Broadcasting`s award-winning entertainment
networks free online and on demand. In addition, Comcast announced it will begin
a national technical trial of its "On Demand Online" service in July carrying
programming from Time Warner`s Turner networks TNT and TBS. 

The companies endorsed a framework that would bring significantly more
television content to customers online in a manner that is consumer-friendly,
pro-competitive and non-exclusive. To ensure rapid adoption and deployment of
online television content across the industry, a set of principles for the TV
Everywhere model was designed to be simple and attractive for any programmer and
any video distributor to elect to adopt. 

The companies agreed to the following principles:

* Bring more TV content, more easily to more people across platforms. 
* Video subscribers can watch programming from their favorite TV networks online
for no additional charge. 
* Video subscribers can access this content using any broadband connection. 
* Programmers should make their best and highest-rated programming available
online. 
* Both networks and video distributors should provide high-quality,
consumer-friendly sites for viewing broadband content with easy authentication. 
* A new process should be created to measure ratings for online viewing. The
goal should be to extend the current viewer measurement system to include
advertiser ratings for TV content viewed on all platforms. 
* TV Everywhere is open and non-exclusive; cable, satellite or telco video
distributors can enter into similar agreements with other programmers.

Time Warner Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bewkes said: "TV
Everywhere is no longer just a concept, but a working model to deliver consumers
more television content over broadband than ever before. We consistently look to
make our popular, branded content more accessible to consumers in order to grow
our business. This progressive approach to delivering television content online
will enable the continued vibrancy and growth of distribution outlets, their
content partners and advertising clients." 

Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast said, "Today`s announcement is all
about giving our customers exponentially more free content, more choice and more
HD programming online as well as on TV. We have been working for a year to bring
more TV and movie content to our customers online and we are thrilled that Time
Warner is joining us in our national technical trial. Ultimately, our goal is to
make TV content available to our customers on all platforms." 

The innovative agreement for this national On Demand Online technical trial will
deliver more TNT and TBS programming online, free of charge to Comcast video
customers, than previously available. Comcast customers in the trial will be
able to access TNT`s award winning programming like The Closer and Saving Grace,
as well as the TBS line-up including Tyler Perry`s Meet the Browns and My Boys.
The shows will be initially accessible on Comcast.net, Fancast.com and will soon
be available on TNT.tv and TBS.com. 

The On Demand Online technical trial will involve premium long-form content with
approximately 5,000 customers. The trial period will be dedicated to testing the
new authentication technology on a national basis that will enable secured
access to the content. This national trial will give customers an opportunity to
explore the service and provide feedback that will help to shape the service
over time. The initial trial is the first phase of a multi-phase rollout that
will expand the amount of content, features and functionality of the service as
subsequent iterations are implemented. 

In the coming weeks, Comcast expects other programming networks to participate
as the nationwide trial expands. Time Warner expects to announce similar trials
with other distributors. 

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is the nation's
leading provider of entertainment, information and communication products and
services. With 24.1 million cable customers, 15.3 million high-speed Internet
customers, and 6.8 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is
principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable
systems and in the delivery of programming content. 

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television,
Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten sports
networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which
develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net
(www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor,
whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the
Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in
Philadelphia. 

About Time Warner Inc.

Time Warner Inc., a global leader in media and entertainment with businesses in
television networks, filmed entertainment, publishing and interactive services,
uses its industry-leading operating scale and brands to create, package and
deliver high-quality content worldwide through multiple distribution platforms.
For more information about Time Warner Inc., please visit www.timewarner.com. 

About Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs
branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on
television and other platforms for consumers around the world. 

PRINCIPLES FOR TV EVERYWHERE MODEL

These principles were developed to ensure the TV Everywhere model is
consumer-friendly; 

pro-competitive and non-exclusive.

* Bring more TV content, more easily to more people across platforms.
* Video subscribers can watch programming from their favorite TV networks online
for no additional charge.
* Video subscribers can access this content using any broadband connection.
* Programmers should make their best and highest rated programming available
online.
* Both networks and video distributors should provide high quality,
consumer-friendly sites for viewing broadband content with easy authentication.
* A new process should be created to measure ratings for online viewing. The
goal should be to extend the current viewer measurement system to include
advertiser ratings for TV content viewed on all platforms.
* TV Everywhere is open and non-exclusive; cable, satellite or telco video
distributors can enter into similar agreements with other programmers.

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Time Warner Inc.
Edward Adler, 212-484-6630
Keith Cocozza, 212-484-7482
or
Comcast Corporation
D`Arcy Rudnay, 215-286-8582
Jenn Khoury, 215-286-7408
or
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Misty Skedgell, 404-885-4396 



Copyright Business Wire 2009

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