The Weather Channel Chooses ARRIS to Expand Its Network and Content Experiences

SUWANEE, Ga., Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ARRIS Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS) today announced The Weather Channel®, has optimized its network to deliver more regionalized data and linear services while reducing bandwidth demands using the ARRIS DSR-4440 and DSR-4460 integrated receiver decoders (IRDs).

"Millions of people around the United States consistently access The Weather Channel for news, updates and their latest weather forecasts from anywhere, any time and on any device," said George Lott, vice president of localization and broadcast engineering, The Weather Channel. "We've worked with ARRIS for years and knew they were ideal to help us optimize bandwidth utilization and ready our network for delivery of more personalized services to the consumer."

The Weather Channel is upgrading its satellite network using ARRIS MPEG-4 SE-6000 encoders and IRDs to address immediate needs for network capacity for more regionalized data, as well as future unique content experiences. The multi-format IRDs enables MPEG-4 distribution via satellite to affiliates and offers backward compatibility with legacy systems. The overall distribution system increases satellite throughput and future-proofs The Weather Channel brand for the delivery of more personalized services to their customers' TV sets and connected devices.

"The Weather Channel stands in an ideal position to offer unique content experiences to deliver to consumers their media, their way," said Bruce McClelland, president, network & cloud, global services, ARRIS. "We worked closely with The Weather Channel to bolster their network for greater bandwidth optimization and flexible MPEG-4 distribution capabilities.  Our flexible solution enables The Weather Channel to offer more personalized, localized services in the future."

About DSR-4440 and DSR-4460 Integrated Receiver Decoders
The ARRIS DSR-4440 and DSR-4460 IRDs decode MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 services over QPSK and DVB-S2 8PSK modulation. The IRDs replace legacy analog and MPEG2 infrastructure, and will deliver simultaneous video and audio, as well as provide robust set of data decapsulation features.

Service and content providers are often looking for innovative ways to improve their network efficiency. The overall ARRIS solution enables more content on more devices by increasing available bandwidth, optimizes current infrastructure, and enables future applications for tomorrow's entertainment experiences.

The Weather Company: Where the World Gets its Weather
Through The Weather Channel, weather.com, Weather Underground, Intellicast.com, and third-party publishing partners, the company provides millions of people every day with the world's best weather forecasts, content and data, connecting with them through television, online, mobile and tablet screens. Through WSI and Weather Central, the company delivers superior professional weather services for the media, aviation, marine and energy sectors. The Weather Company is owned by a consortium made up of NBC Universal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. For more information, visit www.weather.com/press.

About ARRIS
ARRIS is a premier video and broadband technology company that transforms how service providers worldwide deliver entertainment and communications without boundaries.  Its powerful end-to-end platforms enable service and content providers to improve the way people connect – with each other and with their favorite content.  The Company's vision and expertise continue to drive the industry's innovations, as they have for more than 60 years. Headquartered north of Atlanta, in Suwanee, Georgia, ARRIS has R&D, sales and support centers throughout the world. For more information: www.arrisi.com

ARRIS and the ARRIS Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.  © ARRIS Enterprises, Inc. 2013.  All rights reserved.

SOURCE ARRIS Group, Inc.