NPG & RSPB Sign Agreement

Newsplayer Group PLC 7 December 2001 7 December 2001 Newsplayer to Manage RSPB Film Collection Archive Online and Launch Birdstream.com Newsplayer Group plc (NPG) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have signed an agreement to make a hundred hours of award-winning film footage of birds available on-line to film and television producers as well as to birdwatchers around the world. The material has been used in feature films such as 'Gladiator' and a variety of television productions including 'Father Ted', 'Miss Marple' and TV commercials. NPG will manage the archives of the RSPB Film Collection to make them easily available, for a licensing fee, to professional programme-makers at www.rspb.org.uk/films. The RSPB Film Collection is one of the most comprehensive resources for UK and European bird footage. The archive dates back to 1953 and features more than 100 different species of birds. NPG will also launch a website, www.birdstream.com, providing birdwatchers and educational institutions with access to the same RSPB Film Collection archives. Subscribers to birdstream.com will be able to search for clips by species, activity and geographic region, and view hundreds of birds on-line, from the bullfinch to the black-tailed godwit - all in their natural habitats. Newsplayer Group will receive a monthly service fee from RSPB, a commission for licensing material to programme-makers, and a share of birdstream.com subscription revenues. Paul Duffen, Chief Executive of Newsplayer Group, said: 'By bringing the RSPB Film collection online we have made it quicker and easier for professional programme makers to source the film clips they require. Through birdstream.com, we are making it possible for bird lovers everywhere to enjoy the same access as the professionals to decades of film footage. Our co-operation with the RSPB adds a new channel to Newsplayer's portfolio of media archives and demonstrates, once again, our ability to acquire high-quality content and market it across multiple platforms.' Mike Hodgson, Public Affairs Director of the RSPB, said: 'We are delighted to be utilising new media technologies to bring the RSPB Film Collection closer to our members and bird enthusiasts around the world. We believe the launch of our on-line film archive and birdstream.com will help contribute to an increased public awareness of and appreciation for birds and their habitats - an important component of the RSPB's mission.' Ends Enquiries: Newsplayer Group Plc Paul Duffen, CEO 020 7927 6699 Barry Llewellyn, Co-founder Brunswick Group Ltd Gavin Partington 020 7404 5959 Harry Chathli RSPB Caroline Osborne 07818 290714 Tim Norman 01767 680551 Notes to editors: Newsplayer Group plc is a new media company that exploits rights and/or licences to television and cinema content and markets them globally to business, educational and consumer audiences using interactive technology. Revenues are generated from the licensing of content to third parties, from subscription fees paid by schools and colleges for access to bespoke educational products, from subscription and pay-per-view fees paid by consumers, and from shared advertising revenues. NPG has a range of on-line channels including: * Newsplayer.com - a thousand hours of 20th century news material from ITN and Reuters * Frost.tv - hundreds of interviews conducted by Sir David Frost * Screenplayer.com - Hollywood and showbiz footage * Ucreatetv.com - online video editing service The RSPB works for a healthy environment rich in birds and wildlife. It depends on the support and generosity of others to make a difference. We work with bird and habitat conservation organisations in a global partnership called Birdlife International.