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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Use:
Media Contacts
Comcast Media Center:
Andy Holdgate
303-791-3422
holdgatepr@comcast.net
Zilo Networks:
Monica Jara 212-997-0505 ext. 216
monica@zilo.com
Narrowcasting Pilot by Zilo Networks and Comcast Media Center Launches on Five University and College Campuses
MIT, NYU, OSU’s BUCKITV, the Seattle Community Colleges and University of Georgia Participate in First Application of New Broadband Technology
New York, NY and Denver, CO, June 16, 2004 – Zilo Networks, Inc., the leading college entertainment network, and Comcast Media Center (CMC), a business unit of Comcast Cable, announced today the launch of a campus television narrowcasting pilot in cooperation with five participating colleges and universities: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), New York University (NYU), BUCKITV at The Ohio State University, the Seattle Community Colleges and the University of Georgia. Zilo and CMC announced the narrowcasting trial in conjunction wisth the annual AHECTA (Association of Higher Education Campus Television Administrators) Conference, which is being held this week in Baltimore, MD.
The narrowcasting trial will enable participating colleges and universities to automate several functions currently involved in programming local channels. This includes having Zilo’s content delivered by satellite from the Comcast Media Center and storing it on local servers, along with locally produced programming. The narrowcasting system also permits campus TV administrators to create a “play list” for the days and times to cablecast the programming and it automatically provides an affidavit confirming playtimes, which is often required for sponsored programming.
“One of the immediate advantages of this technology is that it provides our college and university affiliates with a more efficient means for receiving and managing television content,” stated David Isaacs, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Zilo. “Longer term, narrowcasting will enable students to enjoy on-demand access of a broad array of entertainment and educational content from a variety of providers.”
With a wide-ranging lineup that includes the latest episodes of ongoing Zilo favorites as well as brand new shows ranging from live events and reality TV to the latest music and comedy, Zilo TV - the nation's largest dorm room network -now reaches over 250 college campuses with 5.5 million campus-based cable subscribers nationwide as well as another 3.2 million broadcast households. Zilo's affiliates air the programming 12 hours per week through their campus cable television networks giving Zilo's sponsors unprecedented ability to target the taste-making college audience with high production value, long form television.
“Thanks to the pioneering spirit of Zilo’s university and college affiliates, we have an opportunity to demonstrate the features and benefits of narrowcasting technology in an educational setting,” stated Gary Traver, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Comcast Media Center. “Campus television and broadband service providers are seeking to increase quality, efficiency and access for the educational, community and entertainment content they deliver and this technology has the potential to meet all three objectives.”
About ZILO
Based in New York City, ZILO Networks, Inc. is the leading integrated entertainment and marketing network designed specifically for college students and young adults. ZILO includes: ZILO LIVE, a series of multi-campus, sponsordriven participatory event franchises and promotional channels; ZILO TV, a fullyintegrated wholly-owned college television network that provides 12 hours of programming per week to over 5.5 million campus-based cable subscribers nationwide as well as another 3.2 million broadcast households and 1 million additional enrolled students via independent college bookstores; and ZILO ONLINE, the #1 broadband website for college students with original streaming content.
About Comcast Media Center
Comcast Media Center (CMC), a business unit of Comcast Cable, provides a total content management solution through its “one source –multiple delivery platforms” capabilities. Its Content Delivery Network offers global transmission via satellite and terrestrial fiber optics, VOD and streaming distribution capabilities. CMC’s Content Management Network offers broadcast quality studio, mobile and post production services, origination services for linear TV networks and live events, HDTV production and origination and quality control and media management services, including encoding and storage. Its Affiliate Services Network includes the HITS (Headend In The Sky) digital platform, founded in 1994, delivers 150 digital services to more than 2,000 cable system h e a d e n d s . More i n f o r m a t i o n i s a v a i l a b l e a t : http://www.comcastmediacenter.com/
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Cable is a division of Comcast Corporation, a developer, manager and operator of broadband cable networks and provider of programming content. With a presence in 22 of the top 25 United States markets, Comcast is one of the leading communications, media and entertainment companies in the world. Providing basic cable, Digital Cable, highspeed Internet and telephone services, Comcast is the company to look to first for the communications products and services that connect people to what’s important in their lives. The company’s 59,000 employees serve more than 21 million customers.






