Level 3 Selected by NBC and NFL to Deliver Super Bowl XLVI in High Definition

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) today announced it will provide live, high definition (HD) television broadcast video services to NBC for Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, using Level 3's Vyvx VenueNet+ technology. The Super Bowl is the most-watched television event of the year. Last year's broadcast was viewed by more than 110 million people, according to The Nielson Co.

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Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is connected directly to Level 3's advanced fiber-optic network, giving NBC the ability to acquire and broadcast the game without having to build or manage its own network. In total, more than 3,000 hours of video content will be acquired, encoded and transported across Level 3's Vyvx VenueNet+ platform for Super Bowl coverage.

"For more than 20 years, Level 3 has provided the critically important broadcast backbone needed to deliver the Super Bowl to viewers around the country," said Mike Meehan, senior vice president of Sports Network Operations at NBC. "A television event like this, which continues to set viewership records every year, leaves no room for error. Level 3's Vyvx VenueNet+ service provides us with the performance, reliability and simplicity we need to ensure a successful broadcast."

In addition to delivering the game, Level 3 will also carry the pre-game and post-game feeds to NFL operations centers in Mt. Laurel, N.J., Culver City, Calif. and NFL Network master control facilities in Atlanta, as well as other broadcast networks and satellite teleport sites for global distribution.

"The Super Bowl is the preeminent sports event in the country, and the fact that Level 3 has delivered the game for nearly a quarter century is a testament to the level of trust the NFL and broadcasters have in us to provide exceptional service," said Mark Taylor, vice president of Content and Media at Level 3. "We know reliability is crucial when broadcasting live video from a sports venue, which is why we continue to focus on every aspect of our delivery to ensure a flawless viewing experience."

Level 3's Vyvx VenueNet+ technology is engineered to provide unparalleled HD and SD digital video services, with added HD and SD encoding, high-speed Internet and phone support. The technology is used in all 31 major professional football venues across the country.

The Super Bowl XLV broadcast will air on NBC on Feb. 5. For more information on Level 3's Vyvx Solutions, visit www.level3.com/en/products-and-services/video/vyvx.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) is a premier global provider of IP-based communications services to enterprise, content, government and wholesale customers. Over its reliable, scalable and secure network, Level 3 delivers integrated IP solutions, including converged, data, voice, video and managed solutions to help enable customers' growth and efficiency. Level 3 operates a unique global services platform anchored by owned fiber networks on three continents in more than 45 countries, connected by extensive undersea facilities. For more information, visit www.level3.com.

© Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Level 3 Communications, Level (3), Think Ahead, the Level 3 Logo and the Level 3 Think Ahead logo are either registered service marks or service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or one of its Affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.  Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Level 3 services are provided by subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. 

Website Access to Company Information

Level 3 maintains a corporate website at www.level3.com, and you can find additional information about the company through the Investors pages on that website at http://lvlt.client.shareholder.com/.  Level 3 uses its website as a channel of distribution of important information about the company. Level 3 routinely posts financial and other important information regarding the company and its business, financial condition and operations on the Investor Relations web pages.

Visitors to the Investors Relations web pages can view and print copies of Level 3's SEC filings, including periodic and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, as soon as reasonably practicable after those filings are made with the SEC.

Copies of the charters for each of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance committees of Level 3's Board of Directors, its Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Ethics, press releases and analysts and investor conference presentations are all available through the Investor Relations web pages.

Please note that the information contained on any of Level 3's web sites is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, any document unless expressly incorporated by reference in that document.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3's control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to:  the company's ability to successfully integrate the Global Crossing acquisition, the current uncertainty in the global financial markets and the global economy; a discontinuation of the development and expansion of the Internet as a communications medium and marketplace for the distribution and consumption of data and video; and disruptions in the financial markets that could affect Level 3's ability to obtain additional financing.  Additional factors include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to:  increase and maintain the volume of traffic on its network; develop effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; adapt to rapid technological changes that lead to further competition; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; successfully integrate future acquisitions; and meet all of the terms and conditions of debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Level 3 Communications, Inc.