Broadstream Communications, Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.) announced the industry's first transport distribution deals targeting small operators in the telecom industry.

Under the terms of the agreement, Broadstream will be the first authorized transporter to offer TBS, Inc.'s entire line-up of linear programming to telecom service providers throughout the United States. The Turner networks carried by Broadstream will include Boomerang, Cartoon Network (East and West Feeds), CNN, CNN en Espanol, CNN International, Headline News, TBS (East and West feeds), TNT (East and West feeds), Turner Classic Movies, and Turner South.

"Delivering content from well-known and well-trusted brands is key to providing our customers the best possible TV experience. This agreement with Turner enables us to add significant value to our telco customers -- specifically in areas of high interest including, kids, news, and entertainment," said Anthony Bontrager, President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadstream. "Our agreement with Turner marks one of the most comprehensive transport agreements in the industry to date. The power of combining best-in-class content with our outsourced head-end, content distribution, and management services cannot be underestimated and heightens our competitive advantage in the market place."

Broadstream's IPTVConnect ^TM service centralizes the aggregation, real-time digital encoding and encapsulation of programmer content, suitable for distribution over telco networks. Broadstream manages and maintains both the live programming feeds and edge equipment installed at the service provider facility 24/7 from its Network Operations Center. The Broadstream platform offers over 200 video and audio programs in full digital quality, through agreements with nearly every major broadcaster and programmer in the country. In addition, the company's Bstream ^TM middleware platform offers a unique service management solution and interactive program guide that provides the necessary tools to deploy and manage a fully scalable, and cost-effective telco-TV service offering.

"TBS, Inc. is pleased to be working with Broadstream to deliver the Turner networks formatted for distribution by small operators in the Telecom industry. Our deal represents a substantial reduction in cost-of-entry for small Telcos desiring to deliver digital video and create competitive bundled service offerings." Says Mike DeHart, Vice President of Distribution & Technology for Turner Network Sales, Inc. "Our deal with Broadstream addresses our concerns of quality, security, and control of our distribution by providing a national uniform offering to each Telco choosing to accept Broadstream as the source for the Turner networks."