NBC to Make Full-Length Episodes Available for Online Download

BURBANK, September 20: NBC.com
has launched a new service, "NBC Direct," which will allow users to
download and view its popular prime-time and late-night programming on their
desktops for up to one week after broadcast.

The first version of this
new feature, which will begin beta testing in October, will allow users to
download full-length episodes for viewing on Windows-based PCs. Each original
episode will be licensed to users for viewing through "NBC Direct"
for one week following broadcast and will then expire. The downloaded file will
provide users with an improved overall viewing experience compared to
traditional streaming video. The list of programs available at launch will
include Heroes, The Office, Life,
Bionic Woman, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Later in the beta launch,
users will be provided with a free subscription option that will allow them to
pre-select the NBC programs they want to watch, which will then be
automatically delivered to their computers as soon as they are available after
the original broadcast. The downloadable player will also have filtering
technology, which will prevent it from playing any stolen copyrighted material.

Future versions of
"NBC Direct," which will roll out over the next several months, will
provide expanded platform functionality and will allow DRM ("digital
rights management") protected versions of its programs to be downloaded to
Macs and portable devices in addition to PCs. NBC.com plans future enhancements
such as high-resolution versions of programming made available via a closed
peer-to-peer distribution network. Later in 2008, NBC.com will also offer paid
business models for downloaded content, which may include download-to-own,
rental and subscription.

"With the creation of
this new service, we are acknowledging that now, more than ever, viewers want
to be in control of how, when and where they consumer their favorite
entertainment," said Vivi Zigler, the executive VP of NBC Digital
Entertainment. "Not only does this feature give them more control, but it
also gives them a higher quality video experience."