Thomson To Acquire Video Division Of ParkerVision.

Entertainment Editors/Business Editors

NEW YORK & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 2004

Thomson (TMS)(TMM.PA)(TMS FP)(Euronext Paris:18453)

Acquisition of Industry Pioneer Reinforces Thomson's Broadcast

Product Portfolio with Live Production and Automation

Thomson (Euronext Paris:18453)(NYSE:TMS), the world leader of integrated solutions (technologies, equipments and services) for entertainment and media industries, today announced an agreement to acquire the video division of ParkerVision (Nasdaq:PRKR), a pioneer of live television production automation systems. By acquiring this division, Thomson is providing an opportunity for broadcasters to cut time and operational cost out of news production. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, the division is best known for its PVTV(TM) live news production and professional Cameraman(R) robotic camera lines. The transaction is valued at approximately $14 million in cash and remains subject to typical closing activities. The sale is expected to close in the first half of 2004.

The acquisition reflects Thomson's strategy to expand its core broadcast business as well as to move into adjacent video markets. The integration of ParkerVision technologies into Thomson's broadcast line capitalizes on broadcasters' increasing demand for production and automation technologies that help cut the time and cost required for live production, including news production, and that help provide a consistent look and feel across broadcasts, which is key to driving viewership, ratings and revenue for television stations.

"In addition to broadening our capabilities in the digital news production space, ParkerVision technology will also extend our leadership in live production and drive organic growth for our business," said Marc Valentin, president, Thomson Broadcast & Media Solutions. The ParkerVision products, which have been installed in a number of early adopter customer sites, are now ready for mainstream application within the broadcast industry. Being embedded within the Thomson portfolio of digital broadcast equipment, which is the industry's broadest, and accessible through Thomson's worldwide distribution network will drive broad adoption of these news and live production solutions in broadcast and news facilities of all sizes.

"By integrating ParkerVision automated playout and camera control technologies with our award-winning live production equipment and expertise, Thomson will continue to develop this platform to provide smaller stations with the same robust and reliable systems on which major broadcast operations rely," said Valentin.

Over the past two years, nearly 15 percent of the world's newsrooms have shifted from analog, tape-based equipment to digital systems and, as a result, are realizing significant workflow and capital efficiency gains. This trend is expected to continue as more stations in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere adopt these technologies. The digital news production segment is currently estimated at $400 million. The company expects that the news portion of this market grow substantially as small- to mid-sized markets adopt digital production technology.

At the same time, an increasing number of broadcasters and video professionals worldwide are moving to multi-format/ high-definition and new more automated workflows for live productions, such as sports and entertainment events, game shows, and some episodic programming. As well, demand is emerging for corporate applications and efficient delivery of packaged content for Web-based viewing. In all, the company estimates that market demand for such live production solutions is approximately $1.5 billion per year, with 8% to 10% growth seen through 2008. Thomson is a market leader in this segment.

"We think this type of production and automation technology is the wave of the future and that most -- if not all production -- will be done this way going forward," said Jim Casabella, Director, Advanced Technologies, ABC Station Groups.

"This is an excellent decision by Thomson, adding a critical tool for addressing the operational workflow opportunities provided by the capabilities of their new digital solutions products," said Ardell Hill, senior vice president of broadcast operations for Media General Broadcast. "PVTV technology links traditional functions requiring multiple operators into a single automated command module. This not only helps us reduce production costs, it allows us to focus more of our resources on the quality and consistency of our newscasts. In our highly competitive markets this is crucial to winning viewers and growing our ratings. The addition of PVTV to their family of broadcast products assures Media General the long-term commitment of support and future enhancements by Thomson."

Thomson will integrate the ParkerVision products with the Grass Valley(TM) digital news production workflow to provide the industry's first tight linkage between news production systems and news control rooms. In 2003 alone, Thomson installed systems for news and shared editing for 62 new customers. In the U.S. these include ABC Owned & Operated Stations, CNBC, NBC Owned & Operated Stations, FOX stations, and several large television station groups. Other new customers include SBS and MBC in Korea; the European Parliament and Flevoland in Europe; and TV Amazonas, Centro de Radio y Television, and Canal 1 in South America.

Certain statements in this press release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to changes in global economic and business conditions, or regulatory factors. More detailed information on the potential factors that could affect the financial results of Thomson is contained in Thomson's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Thomson

Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453)(NYSE: TMS) is the leading provider of technology and service solutions for integrated entertainment and media companies. By capitalizing on and expanding its leadership positions at the intersection of entertainment, media and technology, Thomson provides end-to-end solutions to content creators, video network operators and manufacturers and retailers through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, THOMSON and RCA brands. For more information: www.thomson.net

Technical Note for Editors:

Complementary Product Lines

The PVTV technology links traditional news-production functions that require multiple operators into a single automated command module built around a Windows NT PC. By consolidating these functions, not only can broadcast news operations reduce production costs, but they can focus more of their resources on the quality and consistency of their newscasts. In highly competitive markets, this ability is crucial to winning viewers and ratings.

In the PVTV technology, Thomson gains a tool that is critical as the next wave of digital news technology investment begins.

The patented ParkerVision Technology Revolutionizes Live News Production, Paves Way for Automation in Live, Sports, and Web Production. ParkerVision's unique, multi-patented Production Automation technology has revolutionized the live news production workflow. This allows fewer production crew members during live TV shows, such as news programs to air -- and, instead, can focus those savings on talent costs or on gathering additional or more in depth material for each news program, or on other functions within a station or live production environment.

In the CameraMan line, Thomson adds a solid complement to its Emmy(R) award-winning Grass Valley camera products. What's more, the price point of the CameraMan line is consistent with the Thomson's growth strategy to provide high-performance products to adjacent markets, including corporate and university media centers as well as government networks and agencies. The CameraMan line includes a range of digital and analog robotic cameras for numerous applications, including broadcast television, distance education, image magnification, and any use in which a remote control, top-quality, compact robotic camera is required.