2003 World Series of Poker to be Webcast 'Live' for First Time Via Advanced Internet Media Delivery Technologies

LAS VEGAS, May 7, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- For the first time in entertainment history, consumers will be able to watch the 2003 World Series of Poker Championship Match "live" around the world over the Internet on May 23. The pay-per-view Internet broadcast will show the entire six- to 10- hour match with no commercial interruptions. The champion of this high stakes tournament will receive more than $2 million in cash and viewers will get an up-close look at the poker strategies during this heart-pounding winner-take-all match.

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"Poker is played by millions of people worldwide. We wanted to bring the World Championship closer to them by offering the 'live' broadcast over the Internet," said Nick Behnen, Marketing Executive at Binion's Horseshoe Hotel & Casino.

Pulling the broadcast together, iStreamPlanet will secure the video feed by providing digital rights management along with digital conversion and pay-per-view functions. Viewers worldwide with high-speed Internet connections will be able to receive the World Series of Poker program with the help of AT&T's Intelligent Content Distribution Service.

"We are excited to be a part of the first ever World Series of Poker Internet broadcast," said Mio Babic, President, iStreamPlanet. "The interest in viewing 'live' specialized programming is starting to catch fire -- thanks to advanced Internet media delivery technologies now available."

Babic said iStreamPlanet chose AT&T based on the strengths of its extensive global networking capabilities and creative managed services solution. AT&T's industry-leading IP network has the ability to handle traffic bottlenecks caused by unpredictable patterns of viewers accessing the broadcast. By keeping broadcast content at the edge of the Internet, AT&T's IP network provides the bandwidth necessary for a high-quality webcast experience. The managed services solution allowed iStreamPlanet to focus on its core competencies and let AT&T handle networking management and program distribution.

Consumers can log on to a secure World Series of Poker Web site at www.binions.com and order the broadcast for $29.95 with a major credit card.

AT&T's Intelligent Content Distribution Service is part of a broad array of managed hosting capabilities available in Internet Data Centers that tie directly to AT&T's high-performing global IP network.

AT&T, recipient of the World Communication Award last year for Best Managed Service, grew its managed hosting services by 100 percent in 2002. Additionally, AT&T recently announced new Internet Data Centers in Hong Kong, Nice, France, and Sydney, Australia, bringing its total number of centers to 21 across three continents, including 13 in the United States.