2008-09-15 16:27:02 -

www.blitzagency.com/#home - Fusion PR for BLITZ Chris Michaels, 310-481-1431, Ext. 18 chris.michaels@fusionpr.com or BLITZ Julie Nguyen, 310-551-0200, Ext. 240 JNguyen@blitzagency.com BLITZ, a leading interactive marketing agency, recently teamed-up with DIRECTV and Adobe to create the graphically rich and engaging SUPERCAST(TM) service for DIRECTV's NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM). The multimedia experience allows DIRECTV NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan(TM) customers to instantly enjoy live Sunday football games, highlights of major plays, and real-time scores and statistics from virtually anywhere with their Windows or Mac(a) PC, either through a downloadable desktop application or as a Web destination. Fans will be able to view uninterrupted high-quality streaming video of the day's action, without having to miss any of their favorite games.

By leveraging Adobe(R) AIR(TM)

software, Adobe Flash(R) technologies and the open source Flex framework, BLITZ and DIRECTV collaborated on a sleek user interface design to make it easy for consumers to instantly access the exclusive content offered by the new service. Streaming live video to the user's computer, SUPERCAST is also the first broadly deployed entertainment package to integrate the Digital Rights Management (DRM) capability available in AIR via Adobe Flash Media Rights Management Server (FMRMS). BLITZ also worked with its internationally renowned technology partners at gskinner.com, to provide seamless integration of design artistry, ease of use and advanced functionality to complete the interactive experience.

"BLITZ and Adobe have created a dynamic and interactive fan experience that raises sports entertainment to a new level," said Steven Roberts, senior vice president, New Media and Business Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "This unique entertainment platform now gives fans the option to not only watch their favorite team play on any given Sunday, but also view stats and highlights, check scores and switch to other games in progress, no matter where they are."

To ensure that customers can access the service from any computer, BLITZ worked with Adobe to create a rich desktop environment built on Adobe AIR and collaborated with DIRECTV to develop a Web site version of the service. Customers can choose to either download the AIR application to access SUPERCAST on their personal computer, or simply log into the Web site - www.directv.com/supercast - from any Internet connection to be instantly transported to the day's game action. The two visually impressive platforms will stream live video of all Sunday NFL games, while also providing real-time statistical updates on all regular-season games. The downloadable desktop application will additionally allow customers to watch top highlights from games around the league.

"BLITZ is one of our premier development partners, recognized for their world-class interactive design expertise and the ability to deliver outstanding results. With the SUPERCAST service, BLITZ, Adobe and DIRECTV prove how quick it is to develop and deploy an entire end-to-end streaming video solution using Adobe Flash and Adobe AIR technologies," said Adrian Ludwig, Group Manager for Adobe AIR at Adobe. "In a very short development cycle, BLITZ has provided an incredibly rich and engaging application that creates a great experience for customers."

"We're proud to extend our relationship with Adobe and DIRECTV, and further transform the way audiences are entertained by providing a deeper level of liveliness beyond standard broadcast programming," said Ivan Todorov, CEO/CTO of BLITZ. "SUPERCAST is the first application with such broad reach to demonstrate how Adobe AIR can be used for secure desktop video streaming and DRM that seamlessly lets fans interact with the games of their choice."

Both service options will also provide instant access to DIRECTV's Red Zone Channel(TM), with up-to-the-minute highlights and live-action of critical plays and moments from all games in HD. The SUPERCAST service is available to new or existing DIRECTV NFL SUNDAY TICKET subscribers, through the SuperFan subscription plan.

About BLITZ

BLITZ is an interactive marketing agency that brings brands to life by developing immersive, entertaining and imaginative experiences. BLITZ constantly invents new ways to excite, inform and entertain customers through brand destinations that make audiences want to learn more, go deeper, "play" longer and participate in an active digital two-way conversation. BLITZ has developed revolutionary consumer experiences and campaigns for some of the world's most exciting brands including Microsoft, GE, Adobe, Disney and NBC Universal. BLITZ is available online at www.BlitzAgency.com.

(a) Only one game can be viewed at a time. Blackout rules and conditions apply to SUPERCAST and are based on customer's service address. SUPERCAST service recommends for use with the SUPERCAST application: a computer running Microsoft Windows 2000, XP or Vista operating system with an Intel Pentium 2GHz or faster processor or an Apple Macintosh with an Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor with Mac OS X v10.4.9 or later. The video stream requires a high-speed Internet connection of at least 360kpbs. This service is also available for Linux operating systems. Computer hardware, software, and Internet connection not included.

Interactive Marketing Agency Helps Develop User Experience; First
to Incorporate DRM in Development of Application Built on Adobe AIR