Run Digital Media Debuts First Internet-Only Transport System For Delivering Broadcast-Ready Television Programming

New Service Delivers Broadcast-Ready Programming, Using Windows Media Video 9; Zone Vision Reality TV Network First to Deploy System

Las Vegas, NV — Run Digital Media Corp. (RDMC), a Minneapolis and Los Angeles-based distributor of rich media and broadcast content and related services, has partnered with Microsoft and Telestream to provide the first Internet-only system for delivering television programming in ready to broadcast format, according to CEO Robert Belzer. Applications range from half-hour infomercial programming to 30-second television spots. The system will be demonstrated in the Microsoft booth (SL-332), Las Vegas Convention Center, daily through Thursday.

The Run Digital Media system provides a fast, flexible method for sending broadcast programming, from first-run series to paid programming, through the public Internet to the broadcaster airing the content. Unlike previous systems that utilized private fiber optic networks, the Run Digital Media network can be used from any location with a broadband Internet connection and is designed to save broadcasters up to $50,000 per year or more in distribution costs, when compared to satellite or tape duplication.

Run Digital Media provides advanced encoding for television programming in Windows Media Video 9 (Microsoft's implementation of VC-1, the proposed SMPTE standard), and compresses it into intelligent objects specifically for this type of programming/distribution. The solution utilizes a proprietary metadata-based system to direct media on secure FTP servers and downloads content onto a Microsoft Windows-based server for playback via over-the-air broadcast. Run Digital Media also incorporates Telestream's FlipFactory, an automated media transcoding application, to ingest the media at the broadcast station or cable facility.

"The relationship between Run Digital Media and Telestream is an outstanding example of how two technology companies can use the Windows Media platform and VC-1 to deliver innovative broadcast solutions," said Kevin Unangst, director of Windows Digital Media at Microsoft Corp. "Their combined offerings give broadcasters a compelling way to improve their performance and take advantage of the efficiency of digital delivery."

"We offer an Internet proxy file for monitoring the content to the traffic departments for both the broadcaster and Media Agency who manages the scheduled time," Belzer said. "This ensures the content is correct and replaces the use of the tapes which were used for paid programming delivery "

"This Internet Delivery system has been developed for the convergence of both Internet and broadcast media to utilize a single source for content centralization of paid programming and the next-generation video encoding technology found in WMV9 (VC-1)," added Belzer. "It is now our objective to offer a complete automated workflow solution for all paid programming broadcasters in the U.S., and we have strategically collaborated with Telestream to expand on Internet delivery with joint business development efforts."

"RDMC's delivery of WMV9 (VC-1) content is extremely cost-effective," said Telestream's David Heppe, senior vice president of sales and marketing. "Combined with FlipFactory, this all-digital delivery system significantly streamlines the process of receiving paid programming and getting it to air. FlipFactory handles the format changes and file delivery to the station's on-air server with the convenience of a software-based, batch-processing application."

The Company also named Zone Vision as the first purchaser of the service. Zone Vision, based in the UK, receives files encoded in WMV9 via the Internet enabling playback to both NTSC and PAL standards, The process creates a more flexible working environment at a cost savings over satellite and tape delivery. The Internet service has been successfully integrated within Zone Vision's all-digital network and full thirty-minute infomercials and DR spot advertisers to Zone Vision's Reality TV broadcast network on Echo Star's Dish Network daily. "Paid programming allows broadcasters to improve the overall workflow and performance of a local station as it will pay for the integration of advanced digital media services," said Belzer. "One of the most challenging aspects of broadcasting the distribution of Direct Response TV/Paid Programming is that it involves so many moving parts, such as including different 800 numbers for every broadcast market where viewers call and order products."

About Zone Vision Networks
Based in London, Zone Vision Networks is a leading international broadcaster and distributor of thematic television channels. The company was founded in 1991 and today has 18 offices and studios throughout Europe, the United States, Asia and Latin America. Zone Vision Networks owns and operates four thematic channels: Reality TV, Europa Europa, Romantica and Club, which are broadcast in over 125 countries in 18 languages, with over 135 million paying subscribers. ZVN are also equity affiliates in the studio blockbuster movie entertainment channel, Showtime (Turkey). In addition, Zone Vision has a successful channel representation business and currently represents over 30 international channels from such companies as Discovery, Viacom, Turner, Hallmark and Eurosport, managing over 60 million subscribers. Zone Vision also has a program distribution business and continues to acquire formats, series and specials from leading producers around the world.

About Telestream
Telestream products have set the standard with the world's leading media and entertainment companies, corporations and government institutions for the encoding, organizing and delivery of digital media. Customers rely on Telestream products for convenient, cost-effective, and robust digital media access and exchange over IP networks. Telestream's automation applications and smart media organization solutions streamline workflows for broadcasters and media companies, as well as content owners and content creators in government, higher education and corporate markets. Telestream and its team of video experts are located in Nevada City, the "video valley" region of Northern California. The company is privately held. For more information visit www.telestream.net.

About Run Digital Media
Run Digital Media Corp., LLC, helps companies distribute video and audio content over the Internet. We provide software, hardware, consulting and design services, to clients who want to store and manage rich media without tapes, and distribute it to one or many destinations. Our clients include telecasters, advertisers, entertainment companies, and many other businesses. Founded in 2003, RDM has offices in Minneapolis, MN and Los Angeles, CA. (www.RunDigital.net)

Source: Run Digital Media Corp.