Technicolor and DIRECTV Sign Contract Extension for Set-Top Boxes

Thursday, July 29th, 2010
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Technicolor’s 3D Services Enable the Launch of DIRECTV’s First 3D VOD Service

PARIS, France — Technicolor (Euronext Paris : FR0010918292 ; NYSE : TCH) today announced the signing of a three year contract extension to provide a wide range of SD and HD set-top boxes to DIRECTV (Nasdaq: DTV), the world’s most popular video service. Technicolor is also the preferred provider of 3D services, enabling the launch of DIRECTV’s first 3D VOD service.

Since the beginning of this relationship, Technicolor has provided more than 48 million set-top-boxes to DIRECTV. The contract extension will allow the two companies to further develop their collaboration in new areas such as 3D, to meet the demands of the ever-increasing number of DIRECTV customers. DIRECTV is the first video service provider to offer a suite of three dedicated 3D channels including n3D On Demand.

“Technicolor has been a strategic business partner for DIRECTV for over fifteen years and has been a supplier in every set top box product category available for DIRECTV”, said Vince Pizzica, Head of Digital Delivery at Technicolor. “We are now supporting a significant number of HD channels, and are ready to meet new challenges in the future, such as greater interactivity and stereoscopic 3D services. We are honored that DIRECTV continues to put its faith in Technicolor to support these advanced services.”

Technicolor has been providing DIRECTV with multiple technology services such as high performance set-top-boxes, hospitality video systems, multi- dwelling broadcast distribution systems and aircraft video distribution technologies. DIRECTV has a strong reputation as an innovative broadcaster, rolling out new services including more than 160 channels of high definition television, offering integrated DVR functionality and now as a leader in 3D video services.

“Technicolor has consistently delivered the reliable, high quality products we need to remain at the forefront of the industry,” said Romulo Pontual, CTO of DIRECTV. “We look forward to continuing our relationship and leadership position as we enter new frontiers of innovation like 3D viewing in the home.”

Technicolor, widely recognised as one of the leading suppliers of set-top boxes worldwide, reached the milestone of delivering 100 million digital set-top boxes at the end of past year.