Level 3 Launches Channel Origination Solution to Address Demand for Simplified Global Delivery of Broadcast Content

-- Playout Service Allows Content Owners and Rights Holders to Efficiently Monetize Content Via Secure Distribution to Cable Companies and Satellite Providers

BROOMFIELD, Colorado, July 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) today announced the launch of its Channel Origination solution for broadcasters. The solution, which leverages Level 3's global Vyvx broadcast technology, gives broadcasters the ability to efficiently create linear channels for secure distribution, or playout, to cable headends, multiple system operators (MSOs) and satellite TV providers.

The globalization of content has created the need for content owners and broadcasters to explore ways to deliver their content more efficiently and to more eyeballs than ever before to effectively grow their businesses. This can be complicated and time intensive, particularly given the resources already allotted to developing the content. Level 3's Channel Origination offers a one-stop-shop for playout – content owners provide their channel playlist and digital video files, and Level 3 will format and store those files until they're ready for distribution over satellite or via fiber.

"Content providers increasingly want to spend more of their time developing compelling content and less time overseeing the complex processes required to deliver that content to their end users," said Anthony Christie, chief marketing officer at Level 3. "Through Level 3's global fiber-based video distribution network, which enables us to securely and reliably deliver content anywhere in the world, our customers can increase their points of distribution, enabling them to scale more efficiently and focus on the growth of their business."

"The ability to deliver content point-to-point and point-to-multipoint rapidly and cost effectively is key for media companies to compete and keep pace with today's content consumption trends," said Mukul Krishna, global director of Digital Media at Frost & Sullivan. "No matter how great the content is, if it isn't delivered to the right device at the right time in the right format, its value depreciates fast. With multiple screens and massively increasing digital content libraries, the ability to leverage a pervasive content staging, transformation and distribution network therefore becomes business critical."

Channel Origination also serves as an entry point to Level 3 Video Cloud's distribution service. The Level 3 Video Cloud is a full suite of IP-based video services designed to support content delivery throughout its life cycle, from signal acquisition to delivery to viewers. Level 3 Video Cloud services include live Vyvx broadcast video acquisition, encoding and transcoding, global delivery via the Level 3 CDN, as well as comprehensive, self-service analytics and reporting.

For more information on Level 3's advanced network and video service offerings, visit www.level3videocloud.com.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) is a Fortune 500 company that provides local, national and global communications services to enterprise, government and carrier customers. Level 3's comprehensive portfolio of secure, managed solutions includes fiber and infrastructure solutions; IP-based voice and data communications; wide-area Ethernet services; video and content distribution; data center and cloud-based solutions. Level 3 serves customers in more than 500 markets in over 60 countries over a global services platform anchored by owned fiber networks on three continents and connected by extensive undersea facilities. For more information, please visit www.level3.com or get to know us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

© Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Level 3 Communications, Level (3) and the Level 3 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.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some statements made in this press release are forward-looking in nature and 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. 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 or otherwise realize the anticipated benefits thereof; manage risks associated with continued uncertainty in the global economy; maintain and increase traffic on its network; develop and maintain effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; avert the breach of its network and computer system security measures; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage the future expansion or adaptation of its network to remain competitive; manage continued or accelerated decreases in market pricing for communications services; obtain capacity for its network from other providers and interconnect its network with other networks on favorable terms; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; successfully integrate future acquisitions; effectively manage political, legal, regulatory, foreign currency and other risks it is exposed to due to its substantial international operations; mitigate its exposure to contingent liabilities; and meet all of the terms and conditions of its 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.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140218/AQ67546LOGO