STAMFORD, Conn., and CHICAGO, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascent Media, a provider of outsourced origination and technical services to the media and entertainment industry , and The Chicago Switch, LLC, the premiere video switching facility in the nation's third-largest media market, today announced a new service that significantly increases distribution and reception capabilities for broadcasters and corporate video users.

Ascent Media and The Chicago Switch have completed a high-capacity, bi- directional fiber link between the switch and Ascent Media's Minneapolis uplink facility. The link provides users of The Chicago Switch with the single-source ability to distribute video throughout the world, using Ascent Media's existing network facilities, as well as a competitively-priced alternative to existing uplink facilities. Ascent Media already has commenced services via the new link with major network programmers and local affiliates as customers.

"Creators and distributors of video in our market have consistently used our switching capabilities to achieve their local communication needs," said Steve Robinson, Managing Partner The Chicago Switch. "By providing a direct link to Ascent Media's uplink facilities and global network, we now can enable existing and future customers to have high-quality, highly-reliable access to and from almost anywhere in the world."

"We view our association with The Chicago Switch as beneficial to both companies, as well as to the Chicago video community," said John Palmer, Director of Engineering and Operations, Midwest Region for Ascent Media Network Services. "Our new fiber connection broadens our customer base by offering a unified solution to local and global needs, and provides users of video distribution services with a much-needed alternative."

Located on the 97th floor of the John Hancock Center, The Chicago Switch serves a variety of entities, including local and national broadcast and cable networks, common carriers, post-production houses and other media outlets. Ascent Media provides global distribution from a single source through direct fiber connectivity with London and Singapore.

About Ascent Media Group

Santa Monica, California-based Ascent Media Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery Holding Company DISCA DISCB, which, through its Creative Services and Network Services divisions, provides creative and technical media services to the media and entertainment industries. Through more than 75 facilities in California, New York, London, Singapore and other locations throughout the world, Ascent Media Group provides effective solutions for the creation, management and distribution of content to major motion picture studios, independent producers, broadcast networks, cable channels, advertising agencies and other companies that produce, own and/or distribute entertainment, news, sports, corporate, educational, industrial and advertising content. More information about Ascent Media Group is available at www.ascentmedia.com.

Source: Ascent Media