Comcast Media Center Expands Disaster Recovery Service Options for Television Programming Networks

Online, August 23, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Denver, Colo - Comcast Media Center (CMC) is introducing a tiered approach toward disaster recovery (DR) services for television networks and other content services providers. The CMC now offers three levels of DR support, "Tape," "Electronic," and "Electronic Plus". More information about the new levels of DR service is available at the CMC's exhibit (booth 1613) at the Cable Show.

As part of its Disaster Recovery services, the CMC offers customized analysis and recommendations tailored to each client's requirements. The array of Disaster Recovery services offered by the CMC range from archiving tapes to automatic content caching of network programming, advertising and other elements that will be required for rapidly restoring a TV network to air. Clients that choose the "Electronic Plus" package also receive live event origination services, for continuity in sports and other scheduled live programming.

"Our work in originating the broadcasts for dozens of 24-hour television networks allows the CMC to anticipate the varying levels of service that a network is going to require when a disaster strikes its primary broadcast facility," stated Gary Traver, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Comcast Media Center. "These requirements vary based upon the nature of the programming delivered by a particular TV network, and offering a range of DR services allows clients to invest in DR support at levels that are commensurate with the revenue loss and other risks they may encounter in those situations."

DR services are used when a natural disaster or some other event disrupts the master control or transmission facilities of a disaster recovery client and the CMC originates the broadcast, including scheduled advertising and promotions, until service at the primary facility can be restored. Remaining on the air during a natural disaster or other form of service disruption allows DR clients to minimize impact on audience viewership and advertising revenue and to continue to deliver public information or provide other community services. DR services also provide television networks with a ready-made alternative to assist in remaining on the air during scheduled activities, such as a major technical upgrade or the relocation of their operations centers.

About Comcast Media Center:
Denver-based Comcast Media Center (CMC), a business unit of Comcast Cable, provides centralized content management and distribution solutions for cable systems, video content providers and advertisers "All From The CENTER." More information about the CMC is available at http://www.comcastmediacenter.com.