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BT and Warner Bros. In Landmark Deal


WEBWIRE

December 04, 2006 - BT today announced a comprehensive agreement with the leading US entertainment company, Warner Bros., securing download-to-own, download-to-rent and subscription video on-demand rights to WB content for its next generation TV service, BT Vision.

The agreement means BT Vision customers will be able to choose from a massive range of Warner Bros. current blockbuster titles and classic movies for immediate viewing on the television. Titles include latest movies such as Superman Returns classics such as The Shining and Full Metal Jacket and family favourites such as the Harry Potter franchise. These will be available on a pay-per-view basis without the need for an upfront monthly subscription.

BT Vision customers who are monthly subscribers will also be able to select on-demand titles from Warner Bros.’ huge range of award-winning US dramas and comedies from the last decade such as, E.R., Smallville, Without A Trace, Nip/Tuck, The O.C. and The Closer. All this content will be available on a pay-per-view basis with content streamed instantly to the TV set via a unique set-top box which BT will provide with the service. The set-top box will also provide the 40 or so Freeview channels, a personal video recorder capable of recording up to 80 hours TV, and a catch-up TV facility, all for no mandatory subscription.

Warner Bros. movies will also separately be available for download-to-own on a personal computer or Windows-compatible portable device via BT’s film and television download service located at http://www.btvision.bt.com/. Warner TV programmes will become available for download-to-own and download-to-rent later in 2007. BT already has download-to-own agreements with NBC Universal and Sony BMG.

Simon Kenny, President, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, said: “This partnership with BT is completely consistent with Warner Bros. overall world wide digital distribution strategy to open up new distribution opportunities and provide consumers with the choices they are coming to expect in the delivery of quality entertainment.”

Dan Marks, Chief Executive of BT Vision said “We’re delighted to be in business on such a broad scale with one of the greatest of Hollywood studios. We very much look forward to a partnership with Warner Bros. to bring great programming to our customers in innovative ways”

Josh Berger, MD of Warner Bros. Entertainment UK said: “We’re delighted to be working so closely with BT, one of the leading communications companies both in the UK and globally, on this great new service. BT Vision is a platform that harnesses digital technology to provide our UK consumers great flexibility, enabling them to view our films and TV shows whenever and however they want.”

BT Vision is being launched on 4th December, 2006.

Inquiries may also be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre.

About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale. In the year ended 31 March 2006, BT Group plc’s revenue was ú19,514 million with profit before taxation of ú2,040 million. British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., is one of the world’s largest producer of film and television entertainment. It is currently a subsidiary of the Time Warner conglomerate, with headquarters in Burbank, California, USA.Warner Bros. includes several subsidiary companies, among them Warner Bros. Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Home Video, DC Comics and The CW Television Network



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