DirecTV Chooses Thomson's MEDIAHIGHWAY Middleware

30-Jun-03

Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453, NYSE: TMS) and DirecTV, Inc. announced that Canal+ Technologies, Thomson's digital video software solutions business, has signed a contract with DirecTV Enterprises, LLC, parent company of DirecTV, Inc. This agreement will allow DirecTV to provide the MEDIAHIGHWAY middleware platform to new enhanced standard DirecTVÆ digital set-top boxes.The Javaô-based MEDIAHIGHWAY interactive solution developed for DirecTV will be ported on set-top boxes provided by multiple consumer electronics (CE) manufacturers. The middleware will enable DirecTV to enhance the customer experience, while providing DirecTV and its CE manufacturers with operational efficiencies and lower costs in the development and manufacture of advanced set-top boxes. DirecTV customers will benefit from the middleware via a simplified and more consistent on-screen user interface, as well as the planned deployment of a new suite of interactive shopping, news, weather, games, and sports programming services.MEDIAHIGHWAY, which enables digital network operators to enjoy efficient customer relationship management, is at the heart of Thomson's strategy to supply solutions, products, and services to enable the delivery of content from its creative source to customers.""We are delighted to provide MEDIAHIGHWAY to a world renowned leader who will bring real interactivity to the U.S. television market while optimizing its competitive procurement and customer care management,"" said FranÁois Carayol, Chairman and CEO, Canal+ Technologies. ""With the signing of DirecTV, we are now providing the top operators across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. with cutting-edge interactive television technology. Thomson's technology will enable DirecTV to offer its subscribers the industry's most advanced interactive television services, truly adding value to entertainment.""""The DirecTV strategy is to utilize world-class technology to bring its customers the most robust and entertaining television service available,"" said Roxanne Austin, President and COO, DirecTV, Inc. ""We strive to exceed the expectations of our customers by bringing them new programming services that transcend traditional television. Our long-standing partnership with Thomson continues to benefit DirecTV customers and we look forward to raising the bar for digital television services again as we deploy MEDIAHIGHWAY into the DirecTV network.""""This agreement further strengthens the longstanding relationship we have built with DirecTV since we together developed the first high-power digital broadcast satellite network in 1992. As we have reinforced our technology and asset base, we are now in an unrivaled position to provide end-to-end solutions to network operators as they want to drive interactive and digital television expansion. This agreement is a further example of how we can leverage our leading technology and market positions to capitalize on growth opportunities as the digital transformation of the video chain accelerates,"" said Charles Dehelly, CEO of Thomson.The contract also includes the provision of MEDIAHIGHWAY Development Kit (MHDK), a comprehensive Java-based application development and simulation environment, to enable DirecTV to design its own customer interface and customized applications.For more information about Thomson, visit www.thomson.net. For more information about DirecTV, visit www.directv.com.

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