WEGENER SYSTEMS TO BE INCORPORATED IN SITES AT 200 NBC AFFILIATES

Duluth, Ga. - October 9, 1996 - Wegener Corporation (NASDAQ: WGNR), a manufacturer of audio, data and video transmission products and systems based in Duluth, GA, today announced it has received a multi-million dollar order from Ascent Network Services, Inc., a unit of Ascent Entertainment Group, Inc. of Palm Bay, FL (NASDAQ: GOAL). Ascent Network Services owns, operates and maintains NBC's current analog Ku-Band satellite transmission service, which is used for the transmission of NBC network programming to more than 200 affiliates nationwide. A significant portion of this order was shipped in the fourth fiscal quarter of 1996, ended August 30, 1996 - the quarter in which it was received. The remaining portion of the order is to be shipped in the current quarter which is the first quarter of Wegener's 1997 fiscal year.

Wegener reported that its customer, Ascent Network Services, has reached an amendment of its existing network support services contract with the NBC television network for the partial digital upgrade of NBC's satellite transmission system. The amendment calls for the installation of two Wegener Series DV2000 MPEG-2 digital video receiver/decoders at all NBC affiliates and Wegener DVT2000 digital video encoders at a variety of transmit/receive, portable uplink and transportable earth station locations that are part of the NBC satellite transmission system. NBC's conversion to a digital satellite system, starting with this partial upgrade incorporating Wegener equipment packages, will accommodate expanded transmission capacity needs of the new MSNBC Network. MSNBC, a joint effort of Microsoft Corporation and NBC launched this past summer, will use the additional transmission capacity provided by Wegener digital video equipment to receive and distribute news reports, live remote broadcasts and analysis.

Larry Tennant, Vice President and General Manager, Ascent Network Services, said, "After months of extensive and rigorous testing of all digital video transmission products available, we found the Wegener DV2000 system is the only product that meets our stringent performance requirements. Picture quality, transmission parameter flexibility, and size were major contributing factors to our decision."

Commenting on the order, Bob Placek, President and CEO, Wegener Communications, said, "This order, the first major MPEG-2 procurement by a US broadcast network, is confirmation of our belief that the Wegener DV2000 series digital video products deliver the best performance value in the industry. We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the extensive testing that was performed during the decision process. We look forward to a long and mutually productive relationship with Ascent and MSNBC."

The DVT2000 transmitter features multiple video input formats -- Serial D1 or composite. The transmitter is controlled locally with a front panel keypad and LCD display, or remotely through an RS232 modem port. The DVT2000 transmits one compressed video signal, up to six mono audio channels, one asynchronous data channel, and network control information.The audio input signal for the DVT2000 may be analog or AES/EBU digital.

The DVR2000 IRD occupies 1.75" of rack space and is a complete L-band Integrated Receiver/Decoder. It features composite, S-Video, and Serial D1 video outputs, and MPEG data inputs/outputs. It also provides relay contact closures for control of external devices.

Ascent Entertainment Group provides pay-for-view entertainment and information services to the lodging industry. In addition, it is involved in other entertainment-related businesses, including the ownership and operation of the NHL Colorado Avalanche and NBA Denver Nuggets, and Beacon Communications, amotion picture and television production company.

Wegener Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a market leader in analog and digital compression technology. The Company offers both MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 digital video transmit and receive systems for such diverse applications as private business television networks, satellite news gathering (SNG) and distance learning. Wegener Corporation designs and manufactures communications transmission and receiving equipment for the business broadcast, data communications, cable and broadcast radio and television industries for worldwide markets.

For further information:

Keith N. Smith
Vice President, Business Development
Wegener Communications
770-814-4000
Email: info@wegener.com
World Wide Web: www.wegener.com