Williams Communications Signs Five-Year, Multimillion Dollar Agreement With NFL Films for Broadcast Content Gathering, Distribution.

TULSA, Okla., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ --

Williams Communications (NYSE: WCG), through its Vyvx Broadband Media unit, today announced that it has signed a five-year, multimillion-dollar agreement with NFL Films, Inc., for broadcast content gathering and distribution services.

Utilizing its fiber-optic network and unparalleled broadband connectivity with professional sports venues, Williams Communications will transport the live broadcast content of every NFL game to NFL Films' headquarters in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Using the gathered content, NFL Films will prepare highlight packages of each NFL game, and Williams Communications will then re-distribute to stadiums for fans to view on large stadium displays during games in progress.

"This deal will enable NFL Films to take advantage of our broad connectivity to professional sports venues and unmatched experience in transporting broadcast transmissions for top-tier media and entertainment companies over fiber," said Laura Kenny, president of Williams Communications' Vyvx Broadband Media unit.

In addition to the NFL Films agreement, Williams Communications will continue to provide broadcast transmission services for the majority of NFL game telecasts. Last season, Williams Communications provided broadcast transmission services for 217 NFL games, or nearly 90 percent of all regular season and playoff games, including the Super Bowl(R) for the 12th consecutive year.

Through its Vyvx Broadband Media unit, Williams Communications has 12 years of experience gathering and distributing "mission-critical" live and non-live content for the media and entertainment industries. The company is the leader in moving broadcast content for the media industry, providing transmission services for 80 percent of all professional football, basketball, baseball and hockey broadcasts and 65 percent of all live news special events. Williams Communications also maintains unparalleled broadband connectivity to media content owners, including more than 100 major professional sports venues, all major news and broadcast centers, more than 600 television stations, plus production houses and major studios. Through this connectivity, the company distributes more than 2.75 million radio and television advertisements per year and maintains long-term customer agreements with the largest global media and entertainment companies.

About Williams Communications Group, Inc.