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27 June 2006

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Televisa Brings 2006 FIFA World Cup to Mexico in HD With Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD Production Switcher

Kahuna Enables Leading Spanish-Language Network to Make Rapid Move to HD Using Existing SD Gear and HD New Technology

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HAMPSHIRE, U.K. - June 27, 2006 - Grupo Televisa, S.A., the largest media company in the Spanish-speaking world, is using the Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher to enable simultaneous processing of SD and HD signals in the production of the Televisa network's SD and HD coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The Kahuna's unique ability to integrate SD and HD sources seamlessly into productions without the need for external up- or downconverters will allow Televisa to leverage its existing SD equipment and newer HD technology to deliver high-quality broadcasts to viewers across Mexico.

Engineers at Televisa, led by Director of Operations Elias Rodriguez and Coordinator of Operations Juan Carlos Salazar, evaluated a variety of switchers on the market and selected the Snell & Wilcox Kahuna production switcher because of its unrivaled technology and robust feature set. Thanks to the Kahuna's unique flexibility in handling both SD and HD signals, Televisa's engineering department has been able to make the most of all its equipment as the network brings exciting match coverage to audiences in the stunning quality and clarity of HD.

Advanced FormatFusion technology from Snell & Wilcox enables Kahuna operators to combine SD and HD camera feeds, graphics, handheld shots, and archive footage directly into their HD productions. The Kahuna multiformat production switcher also features simultaneous HD and SD output capability from the same mainframe and control panel.

Televisa is using two Kahuna systems, both fully loaded with 4 M/E (mix/effects) banks and two control panels. M/Es can be allocated either to SD or HD sources, or mixed together on a single M/E. The switcher's operational flexibility makes maximum use of all available M/Es by networking multiple control surfaces to different mainframes, allocating one mainframe to separate control panels, or operating in SD or HD as required.

Purchased for initial use at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the Kahuna systems give Televisa the ability to make a rapid yet controlled shift to HD broadcasting. The network is broadcasting matches and accompanying programming on two channels, which together represent Mexico's first HD channels. Once the tournament has concluded, Televisa will integrate the Kahuna systems into its main studios for news and sports coverage.

More information about the Kahuna and other Snell & Wilcox products is available at www.snellwilcox.com.


Grupo Televisa, S.A. is the largest media company in the Spanish-speaking world and a major participant in the international entertainment business. It has interests in television production and broadcasting, production of pay-television networks, international distribution of television programming, direct-to-home satellite services, publishing and publishing distribution, cable television, radio production and broadcasting, professional sports and live entertainment, feature film production and distribution, and the operation of a horizontal internet portal. Grupo Televisa also owns an unconsolidated equity stake in Univision, the leading Spanish-language media company in the United States. www.televisa.com.mx

Snell & Wilcox, the leader in its field, delivers technologies and products that enable television and satellite broadcasters, post-production facilities, filmmakers, and communications professionals to move content seamlessly between analog, digital, high definition, and file-based systems and to bridge the world's multiplicity of line/field and color standards. The company provides switchers and keyers, standards conversion systems, networked infrastructure components, and products for noise reduction, image enhancement, and restoration. In business since 1973, Snell & Wilcox maintains its U.S. headquarters in Burbank, Calif., and European headquarters in Hampshire, U.K. Additional offices are located in New York, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, and Russia. Visit www.snellwilcox.com for more information.

Press Contact: Susan Warren, Wall Street Communications, Phone: +1 631 261 1013. Email: susan@wallstreetcom.tv.

EMEA Press Contact: Becky Smith, on behalf of Wall Street Communications, Phone: +44 1622 684 592. Email: becky@ella-beck.co.uk.

Snell & Wilcox, Putting Pictures to Work, Kahuna, and FormatFusion, are trademarks of the Snell & Wilcox Group. All other trademarks mentioned herein are acknowledged as the property of their respective owners.

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