FCC approves digital TV standard

Business Wire, Dec 26, 1996

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 26, 1996--

-- Statement of Bruce M. Allan, Senior Vice President, Business

Development, Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc. --

As a worldwide leader in digital video technology and America's largest manufacturer of color television receivers, Thomson Consumer Electronics welcomes this week's historic vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt the digital TV (DTV) transmission standard,

By mandating the core DTV technologies, the FCC has provided the private sector with the policy direction it needs to invest in an orderly transition to digital television, with all its attendant benefits for U.S. consumers. The coming 21st Century will certainly look better on television.

Today's announcement clears the way for Thomson to offer RCA-brand digital HDTV all-format receivers, beginning in 1998. Pricing of the new advanced digital receivers, representing a more deluxe category of TV products, will carry higher prices than today's analog models. We expect digital television's particular benefit will be to popularize the use of larger screen receivers in the home as sources of entertainment, information and sports programs.

Thomson, which manufactures and markets RCA, GE and ProScan-brand video products, participated in the development of the innovative technology of the new standard through the company's active involvement in the Digital HDTV Grand Alliance. In addition, Thomson co-developed the Digital Satellite System (DSS) with Hughes Electronics, the first mass-produced consumer digital product for television.

CONTACT: Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc.

Frank McCann, 317/587-4450

Bruce Allan, 202/872-0672