Concurrent and Blue Ridge Join Forces to Bring VOD and iTV Applications to Digital Subscribers

Business Wire, Oct 1, 2001

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 2001

MediaHawk(TM) to Enable Fast-Track VOD and iTV Deployments

with Northeast Pennsylvania Cable Operator

Concurrent Computer Corporation (Nasdaq:CCUR), the leading provider of digital video solutions on demand, today announced that Blue Ridge Communications has chosen its MediaHawk Broadband Video-On-Demand (VOD) System to offer VOD and other interactive video applications. Blue Ridge plans its initial deployment in the first quarter of next year, with its first VOD offering to be deployed on the Scientific-Atlanta Digital Cable Platform. Concurrent's broadband VOD system runs on both the Scientific-Atlanta and Motorola digital platforms and will be integrated with Pioneer's Passport guide in the Blue Ridge offering.

Blue Ridge's cable systems serve 170,000 subscribers in the State of Pennsylvania, with VOD services to be rolled out over the next year to cable customers in Stroudsburg, Ephrata, Lehighton, and surrounding Northeast Pennsylvania communities. Using Concurrent's MediaHawk system, Blue Ridge will provide Movies On Demand (MOD), Subscription Video-On-Demand (SVOD) and a variety of other interactive services.

John Slanina, Blue Ridge director of Research and Development, stated, "We needed a partner with a proven track record of success and the experience to rapidly implement its VOD and interactive television system. Concurrent had the best references and the most successful deployments. In addition, we are very interested in Concurrent's personal video recording (PVR) product, Personal Video Channel(TM)." He added, "Given Concurrent's history of success and the strength of its hardware architecture to support future iTV services such as PVC, we are very confident in our decision to select Concurrent."

Mark E. Masenheimer, Blue Ridge assistant general manager, offered, "Concurrent's technology will allow us to offer our customers the most advanced interactive services available in the market today. We see this as an opportunity to increase our digital subscriber base and improve our revenues." He continued, "We were also particularly impressed with Concurrent's unique set-top client architecture. It offers us the flexibility to custom design our own navigator, with features including jacket art, movie trailers, and advertisements. Concurrent's client was by far the best we've seen."

Jack Bryant, Concurrent president and CEO, said, "Concurrent is proud to partner with an entrepreneurial cable company like Blue Ridge as they expand their digital broadband offering. Blue Ridge's aggressive deployments demonstrate that VOD, SVOD, and iTV services are in demand and offer cable companies compelling services for their customers, and Concurrent is excited to enable these services."

Concurrent's MediaHawk Broadband VOD System includes its MediaHawk VOD System, which is a comprehensive end-to-end solution, including integrated hardware and software. A primary component of the system is the MediaHawk Video Server, which is a high-performance, scalable, digital video server that supports MPEG1 or MPEG2 digital video streams on HFC, DSL, and IP-based transport networks. Another component of the system, the MediaHawk BackOffice Business Management System (BMS), provides a comprehensive system for operations and business management. Concurrent's VOD technology enables users to instantly call up digital content from a list of titles and control their selected content with VCR-like functionality including fast forward, pause, and rewind. Concurrent's MediaHawk VOD System offers industry-leading performance and provides the most reliable response time achievable in the worldwide marketplace today.

About Blue Ridge Communications

Blue Ridge Communications is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pencor Services, Inc. Pencor is a leader in the development and introduction of media and communications technology throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. Pencor companies provide new media content and advertising services via cable TV, newspapers, and the Internet.

About Concurrent

Concurrent Computer Corporation (http://www.ccur.com) is a leading provider of high-performance computer systems, software, and servers. Concurrent Computer Corporation's XSTREME Division is a leading supplier in the emerging digital video server marketplace. This market includes broadband VOD and rich streaming media applications such as corporate training, education, hospitality, and digital video-to-the-home. Operating worldwide, Concurrent provides sales and support from offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Concurrent brings over 35 years of real-time experience to the broadband VOD and rich streaming media industries, and has become a market leader. Today, Concurrent's broadband VOD and rich streaming media trials and deployments include: AOL Time Warner Cable - Oceanic Cable; AOL Time Warner Cable - Tampa Bay; Beijing Fengtai Cable - China; Blue Ridge Communications - Pennsylvania; Cogeco Cable - Quebec and Ontario, Canada; Comcast - nine systems with locations to be announced; Cox - Hampton Roads; Cox - Phoenix; Cox - San Diego; Horizon.com - Singapore; NXTV Inc. - Bel Air Hotel, Peninsula Hotel, and Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles; OLYMPUS Optical - Hamburg, Germany; Safari Technologies - 16 educational institutions throughout North America; Shanghai Telecom - China; and VOD Pty Ltd./TransAct - Australia.