Public Television Leader, KQED-TV/KQED-DT, Taps Harris Corporation for its Expanded Automation and Control Needs

Business Wire, Dec 16, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 2002

One of the nation's leading Public Television affiliates, KQED-TV/KQED-DT, San Francisco, California, has placed an order valued at over one million dollars for a multi-channel automation control system from Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), Broadcast Communications Division. Harris also will provide system training for the KQED engineering staff.

KQED turned to Harris Automation Solutions to help address its anticipated need for increased channel control with the additional digital children's and educational channels to be offered by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and because of the increased demands for program management for the station's digital television channel.

"When KQED began broadcasting atop the Mark Hopkins Hotel in 1952, I'm sure that those early pioneers never envisioned the kind of digital, multi-channel environment that we operate today," said Steve Welch, director of TV engineering and operations for KQED television. "With the help of Harris' multi-channel automation system, we will be able to meet not only the first mandate of KQED-TV, which was to educate the public, but also offer an astounding array of services to an increasingly culturally diverse Bay area."

With the ability to control seven broadcast channels, the Harris Automation Solutions Windows(R)-based control system offers an extremely flexible, modular approach for system implementation that allows a facility to easily expand channel control. The system can be configured for any broadcast operation, providing control for most types of devices through a LAN, WAN and TCP/IP network. The Harris system's deep feature set, with resource allocation and serial communications modules, allows stations to maximize resources.

"We are extremely pleased to be helping KQED make the transition from a single channel to a multi-channel broadcast environment," said Brian Lay, director of product marketing for Harris Automation Solutions. "We feel that they have chosen a proven winner with our Harris Automation Solutions control system. As our partnership continues with KQED, Harris Automation Solutions will be there to support future channel expansions and programming demands."

Harris Automation Solutions (HAS) is a global leader in automation and industry protocol standards, with a worldwide installed, client base of over 3,000 channels. As a pioneer in the field of enterprise-wide automation systems under the Louth brand, the Sunnyvale, California-based HAS, has engineering, sales and customer support operations in France and the United Kingdom.

About KQED-TV/KQED-DT

KQED operates KQED, Public Television 9, the nation's most-watched public television station (in prime-time), and Digital Television 9, Northern California's only public television digital signal; KQED Public Radio 88.5 FM, the most-listened-to public radio station in the nation; the KQED Education Network, which brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents and media professionals through workshops, seminars and resources; and http://www.kqed.org, which harnesses the power of the Internet to bring KQED to communities across the Web.

About Harris Broadcast

Harris Broadcast Communications is one of five divisions within Harris Corporation. The world's leading broadcast supplier, Harris offers a full range of solutions that support the digital delivery, automation and management of audio, video and data. Harris serves broadcasters in more than 125 countries. Harris Corporation, which also provides microwave, network support, tactical radio, and government communications systems and products, has sales and service facilities in more than 90 countries. For more information, visit http://www.harris.com.