DNCC NAMES LEVEL 3 OFFICIAL LIVE VIDEO AND CONTENT DELIVERY SERVICES PROVIDER FOR 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
Colorado-Based Communications Company to Provide Live, High-Definition, Gavel-to-Gavel Streaming Coverage
DENVER - The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and Colorado-based Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ: LVLT) announced today that Level 3 has been named as the Official Live Video and Content Delivery Services Provider for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to be held Aug. 25-28, in Denver. In that role, Level 3 will provide video broadcast services, as well as online video downloading and live streaming of the four-day event, including speeches and other Convention content, via the Internet at www.DemConvention.com.
"We often talk about our commitment to bringing down the walls of the Pepsi Center by using technology and other tools to bring more people in to our Convention experience than ever before," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "Level 3 moves us one giant step closer to that goal. Their video broadcast and live streaming capabilities will provide millions of people around the world with an all-access pass to this historic event next August."
As the Official Live Video and Content Delivery Services Provider, Level 3 will deliver live analog and High-Definition (HD) video broadcast services from the Pepsi Center, site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. In addition, the DNCC will use Level 3's Content Delivery Network (CDN) to provide online video downloading and live streaming of the Convention. Level 3's CDN will also cache the Convention's web site on servers across its network to deliver a high-quality, online viewing experience. Together, these services will enable a global audience to access and view Convention content as best suits their needs, using the Internet-enabled device of their choice.
"The emergence of video and other rich media over the Internet has introduced a new era of communications that moves beyond traditional voice and Internet services," said Brady Rafuse, president of Level 3's Content Markets Group. "Today, greater online information access and two-way interactivity are reshaping election politics and providing more people with a voice than ever before. The 2008 Democratic National Convention marks an important milestone in the current presidential election and offers a unique opportunity for Level 3 to support the DNCC, the community and the nation by providing the video and content delivery services to enable a new standard in communications."
In working with the DNCC, Level 3 brings a proven track record of providing video broadcast services in support of political conventions, elections and other live events, such as the Super Bowl. Over the past decade, Level 3 has also served as the underlying provider of video transmission capabilities for each of the major television networks to broadcast the annual State of the Union address.
The 2008 Democratic National Convention is expected to pump an estimated $160 million into the Denver area's economy and draw approximately 35,000 visitors to the region.
