LONDON — Oct. 4, 2006— OmniBus Systems today announced that ESPN STAR Sports (ESS), Asia's definitive and complete sports provider, is integrating OmniBus OPUS automation into a new tapeless production environment at the broadcaster's state-of-the-art, 60,000-square-foot facility in Singapore. Nicknamed "Home Run" by ESS and systems integrator TSL, the project encompasses the transition from tape-based to more efficient file-based workflows that enable improved media handling, greater collaboration among ESS personnel, and faster turnaround of live sports and sports news.

"ESS operations include production for 13 different channels, broadcast in eight languages, so the functionality provided by OmniBus Systems' automation is key to making our new production environment a success," said Tom McVeigh, senior vice president, operations and technology, at ESPN STAR Sports. "Implementing a collaborative production workflow on this scale will transform the way we get sports content to air, and we're looking forward to this change — and the business and operational benefits it promises — as we bring all our new production systems online in 2007."

OmniBus OPUS News & Sports Logging enables fast and intuitive logging of both live and recorded events, in real time and across multiple systems. It features fast one-button event logging, task-configurable user interfaces, and intuitive desktop functionality such as recalling, sorting, and accessing logged events within content. The easy capture of key frames allows users to build storyboards rapidly, and the ability to review and filter logged events lets the user focus on highlights and quickly create shot lists.

ESS staff also will use the OmniBus HeadLine desktop editor to create sports packages. The software will provide voiceover recording for eight channels of audio and audio-level control and mixing at the desktop. The finished piece can either be sent as an EDL directly to the automated playout system or to a craft editor for further editing.

The OmniBus OPUS suite will integrate with ESS' existing transmission and a DIVArchive digital archive system from Front Porch Digital. OmniBus automation will control nearline storage comprising an Omneon MediaGrid active storage system with a 2,000-hour cache (50-Mb/s DVCPRO) and four Omneon Spectrum server systems configured with 50 I/O ports. The system will be linked directly to 25 Apple Creative Studio systems running Final Cut Pro to enable large-scale edit-in-place capability.

"OmniBus Systems' automation solutions will integrate smoothly with new and existing gear at ESS to enable leveraging of live content to its maximum potential," said TSL Head of Sales Russell Grute. "A primary goal of 'Home Run' is to facilitate, through a tapeless workflow, the rapid production of high-quality breaking news segments and the latest sports highlights. In sports media, time is of the essence, and OmniBus offers the control and functionality necessary to manage production in a complex multichannel and multilingual environment."

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About ESPN STAR Sports
ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) is a 50:50 joint venture between two of the world's leading cable and satellite broadcasters: ESPN Inc. and STAR. Combining the strengths and resources of its ultimate parent companies, Walt Disney (ESPN, Inc.) and News Corporation Limited (STAR), ESS is Asia's definitive and complete sports provider. The 13 ESS networks spanning the region include ESPN Asia, ESPN India, ESPN Taiwan, ESPN Singapore, ESPN Philippines, MBC-ESPN (Korea), ESPN Hong Kong, STAR Sports Hong Kong, Xing Kong Sports, STAR Sports India, STAR Sports Taiwan, STAR Sports S.E.A., and STAR Sports Singapore. All 11 feeds are customized to deliver the world's premier sports events, which are in line with local audience preferences. ESPN reaches over 110 million households while STAR Sports reaches over 54 million households. More information is available online at www.espnstar.com.

About TSL
Since 1986, TSL has worked at the heart of independent broadcast systems integration helping to develop the technical and operational foundations for leading broadcasters worldwide. Through its extensive, international systems experience, TSL also designs, manufactures, and sells a unique range of TSL-branded products. For additional information on TSL products and services, please visit www.tsl.co.uk.

About OmniBus Systems
OmniBus Systems provides broadcasting, cable, and satellite organizations with comprehensive automation and media content management solutions that address every area of television-related operations. Its newsroom, content, and workflow automation solutions include acquisition and recording of rich media material, low-resolution editing, media asset management and playout. OmniBus is a global company with headquarters in the United Kingdom and offices in the United States, Germany, and Singapore. More information is available at www.omnibus.tv.

All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

ENDS