NEP Supershooters & Screenworks Build HD Future For WWE(R) On The Air And In The Arena

Courtesy of NEP Broadcasting:

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 29 -- One of America's great entertainment stars just got brighter. NEP Supershooters and Screenworks have been working with World Wrestling Entertainment(R) for over a year on creating a new HD experience for fans at home and at WWE events around the country.

The NEP Systems Integration team and WWE management joined forces to custom design and build the new High Definition Remote Television Production home for WWE. The two new double expando units dubbed Red and Black were built to specifications as outlined by WWE's Mike Grossman, Duncan Leslie and Marty Pingree. They include a spacious new main production control room equipped with Grass Valley Kalypso switcher, 6 EVS Servers, 11 Sony HD Cams and 2 SRW VTR's along with technical management, video and graphics areas. The production will include 10 or more Sony HD camera systems for each event as determined by WWE. The second unit contains an enhanced audio production area with Calrec Alpha and Omega audio consoles, a control room for internet content production, and a storage area for equipment. The units were used for the new WWE HD telecasts across its multiple platforms including NBC Universal's USA Network for "Monday Night RAW(R)" on January 21 and on the CW for "Friday Night SmackDown(R)" on January 25.

"WWE challenged us with creating a mobile production facility with the express purpose of bringing the best possible HD experience to their fans and viewers and NEP has delivered. This is a one of a kind unit that houses the most sophisticated sports telecast equipment out there today and we are proud to launch WWE into a new era of its growth," said NEP Broadcasting Chief Technology Officer George Hoover.

In addition, NEP Screenworks has completed the design and build out of the new, in-arena HD screen experience for WWE, including a new Christie Digital projector and a massive Screenworks designed screen system including BARCO Mitrix low resolution LED sticks and LED curtain.

"We've had a long relationship with WWE and they are great partners who want the best for their millions of fans. The new screen systems we created with WWE will bring the fans at the arenas even closer to the action," said Screenworks President Tom McCracken. "Our team was there at the premiere on January 21, and will be for each event throughout the years to come. It's a whole new experience."

"The move to high-definition programming is another step in WWE's ongoing mission to provide fans with the most engaging, exciting product possible," said Mike Grossman, WWE Senior Vice President, Television Operations. "This upgrade is the first of many technological advances for our brand in 2008. NEP Supershooters and Screenworks have created an equipment set that has exceeded our expectations and that will provide our viewers with a spectacular HD viewing experience."

About NEP Broadcasting

NEP Broadcasting is the leading international provider of outsourced teleproduction services vital to the delivery of live sports and entertainment events. Serving the world's premiere broadcast networks and production companies, NEP provides state-of-the-art facilities, engineering expertise and technical management to support telecasts of major events and programs around the globe. With more than 500 employees worldwide, including the finest engineering and technical management in the field, NEP Broadcasting is proud to serve networks, producers and organizations
through services provided by its six specialized divisions: Supershooters, Denali, Visions, Screenworks, Studios and Roll to Record along with mobile facility services provided by New Century Productions. For more information on NEP, please visit our website at http://www.nepinc.com.

About WWE

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Toronto and Sydney. We are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WWE. Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at http://www.wwe.com and http://corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.