3DsoundSurge Press Release: Fall ABC Lineup Features HDTV Shows in Dolby Digital 5.1

Fall ABC Lineup Features HDTV Shows in Dolby Digital 5.1

Joint Project Reflects Company's Focus on New Product Innovation

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2001--Dolby Laboratories announced today that 17 of ABC's primetime high-definition television (HDTV) programming, along with several one-time-only presentations, for the 2001-2002 season will be presented in Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound.

``We are delighted about ABC's commitment to broadcast the majority of its primetime programming in HDTV, which also allows viewers to enjoy their favorite shows in Dolby Digital 5.1 audio,'' said Tom Daily, Marketing Director, Professional Audio, Dolby Laboratories.

According to ABC, the following programs will feature Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks: ``Dharma & Greg,'' ``Bob Patterson,'' ``Spin City,'' ``Philly,'' ``My Wife and Kids,'' ``According to Jim,'' ``The Drew Carey Show,'' ``The Job,'' ``Thieves,'' ``Once and Again,'' ``Alias,'' ``The Practice,'' ``NYPD Blue,'' ``The Wonderful World of Disney,'' ``The ABC Big Picture Show,'' ``The Court,'' and ``The Web,'' as well as other specials to be announced.

Dolby Digital allows listeners equipped with a Dolby Digital 5.1 home theater system to enjoy the cinematic surround sound experience in the home. A Dolby Digital 5.1 home theater system consists of five speakers placed around the listener (left, center, right, left surround, right surround) with a subwoofer or LFE processor for bass-heavy effects that are usually felt more than heard. A Dolby Digital 5.1 receiver is needed to decode the Dolby Digital signal and send it to the five discrete speaker channels mentioned above. For more information about home theater systems, please visit www.dolby.com/ht/.

Dolby Laboratories estimates that by the end of 2001, ten million U.S. households will have a set-top box capable of playing Dolby Digital 5.1 via DBS and/or digital cable. Dolby also estimates that more than nine million U.S. households will be equipped with Dolby Digital 5.1 home receivers by the end of this year. As the number of Dolby 5.1-channel devices continues to rise, more networks are broadcasting in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.

Other networks currently broadcasting in Dolby Digital 5.1 include DirecTV, Dish Network, HBO, PBS, Showtime, and STARZ! For a listing of programs broadcast in Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, please visit www.dolby.com/tvaudio.

ABC began broadcasting high-definition television, including Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound, on November 1, 1998, with the theatrical presentation of ``The Wonderful World of Disney: 101 Dalmatians.'' Since then, ABC has broadcast many theatricals in HDTV, as well as numerous sporting events. Those events include the first live, regularly scheduled HDTV sporting event in primetime, the 1999-2000 season of ``Monday Night Football.'' ABC has also broadcast ``Super Bowl XXXIV'' and the ``2000 National Hockey League All-Star Game'' in HDTV.

About Dolby Laboratories

Dolby Laboratories is the developer of signal processing systems used worldwide in applications that include motion picture sound, consumer entertainment products and media, broadcasting, and music recording. Based in San Francisco with European headquarters in England, the privately held company also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby technologies, please visit www.dolby.com.

Note to Editors: Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.

Contact:

     Dolby Laboratories
     Adam Anderson, 415/645-5176
     aja@dolby.com
         or
     ABC Television Network
     Susan Sewell, 212/456-1508