ASIASAT OFFERS ONE-STOP BROADCAST SERVICE TO FOX INTERNATIONAL CHANNELS
The outsourcing partnership increases FIC’s operational efficiency, allowing FIC to focus on its core competency of launching and marketing first-class channels first in Asia

Hong Kong, 17 August 2011 – Asia’s leading satellite operator, Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a contract with FOX International Channels (FIC), Asia’s largest pay-TV network, to provide one-stop broadcast service including compression, uplink, play-out service, monitoring, maintenance and troubleshooting for all of the FIC’s top-rated HD and SD channels at AsiaSat’s state-of-the-art earth station in Tai Po, Hong Kong.

A new broadcast centre, staffed by AsiaSat, was established to host FIC’s equipment and to provide 24×7 broadcast operations for the strong FIC channel bouquet available across Asia and the Middle East. The top-rated channels in the FIC network, which feature Asia’s leading Chinese and Hollywood movies, US TV series, documentaries and Asian entertainment, are delivered in both HD and SD formats to 13 markets in these two regions, reaching over 550 million cumulative viewers. The operations were previously handled by FIC out of its Hunghom location.

By outsourcing the broadcast operations to AsiaSat, FIC can focus more on its core business of expanding its channel portfolio across genres, and launching channels and services faster in current and emerging markets in Asia.

“Outsourcing our broadcast operations to a capable service provider like AsiaSat improves FOX International Channels’ operational efficiency, and enables us to focus on our core competency by taking first-to-market advantage to launch and market channels. AsiaSat is our long-term partner in Asia. This agreement further expands our existing collaboration in achieving total reliability and quality control in the broadcast of our services across the regions,” said Mr. Victor Chan, Vice President, Broadcast Technical Operations in FOX International Channels.

AsiaSat Offers One-Stop Broadcast Service to FOX International Channels – P2/2

“We are very pleased to provide this additional valuable service to FOX International Channels, AsiaSat’s long standing customer. We are proud to play an expanding role in FIC’s distribution service in Asia by offering space and ground infrastructure solutions that address their broadcast needs, now and in the future,” said William Wade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.

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About FOX International Channels

FOX International Channels (FIC) is News Corporation’s international multi-media business. We develop, produce and distribute 200+ wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, factual, sports and movie channels across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa, in 37 languages. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high-definition extensions, reach over 1 billion cumulative subscribers worldwide. We also operate a global online advertising unit, .FOX (pronounced “dot-fox”) specialized in online video and display, and four TV production houses. For more information, please visit: www.foxinternationalchannels.com

In Asia, FIC operates 27 channel brands including the FOX, STAR and National Geographic brands in 75 channel feeds across 13 markets, reaching more than 550 million cumulative subscribers in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. We have offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Australia, Middle East and India.

About AsiaSat

AsiaSat, the leading regional satellite operator in Asia, serves over two-thirds of the world’s population with its three satellites, AsiaSat 3S at 105.5ºE, AsiaSat 4 at 122ºE and AsiaSat 5 at 100.5ºE. The AsiaSat satellite fleet provides services to both the broadcast and telecommunications industries. Over 500 television and radio channels are now delivered by the company’s satellites offering access to over 620 million TV households across the Asia-Pacific region. AsiaSat also provides operators and end users telecommunications services such as voice networks, private VSAT networks and broadband multimedia services. AsiaSat is building a new satellite AsiaSat 7, planned for launch in Q4 2011. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited, a company listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock Code: 1135). For more information, please visit www.asiasat.com

Media inquiries:

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited

Sabrina Cubbon, Vice President, Sales and Marketing 
Tel : (852) 2500 0899 
Mobile : (852) 9097 1210 
Email : scubbon@asiasat.com

Winnie Pang, Manager, Corporate Affairs
Tel : (852) 2500 0880 
Email : wpang@asiasat.com 

FOX International Channels

Rajesh Sheshadri / Vincent Mak
Tel: (852) 2621 8800 / (852) 2621 8861
Email: rsheshadri@startv.com / vincent.mak@startv.com

AXN Asia and Chevrolet Asia take viewers on Thrilling Ride with Cash Cab Asia

16 August 2011, Singapore – Chevrolet Asia is once again set to make a big impact with the sponsorship of AXN Asia’s latest original production – Cash Cab Asia.

Hosted by the effervescent and ever entertaining Oli Pettigrew, Cash Cab Asia is the only game show on wheels, whereby unsuspecting passengers board a Chevrolet Epica taxi and are quizzed on their general knowledge as they go to their destination.

The questions increase in difficulty as they go along and if they get stumped, they can salvage their chances by making use of a “Mobile Shout-out” (by calling someone for help) and “Street Shout-Out” (just rolling down the window and asking someone on the streets for help). Every correct answer wins the passenger instant cash and they win more as the journey continue providing of course, they continue to give the correct answers… and the ride is complimentary!

On top of the Chevrolet Epica being featured in every episode of Cash Cab Asia, the Chevrolet brand gets additional mileage with brand-related questions asked by the host and through video questions integrated within the show. Chevrolet branding on car decals and on the host’s uniform amplify exposure for the brand within the show, as well as in program promotional trailers airing across the channel. Chevrolet’s strong association with the show will be seen in more than 96 million AXN households across 21 countries.

Chevrolet’s sponsorship of Cash Cab Asia come hot on the heels of its sponsorship of Blue Bloods starring Tom Selleck on AXN Asia which kicked off in February this year. The successful integrated marketing campaign included the use of six Chevrolet Cruze cars to form an impressive NYPD motorcade along Singapore’s Orchard Road.

“We are delighted to be working with Chevrolet Asia again on the next big AXN original production. With Cash Cab Asia we have managed to create the perfect vehicle for a partner like Chevrolet to do branded entertainment and we are grateful to have a partner who understands that the entertainment component, which will be very high in this show, is as critical as ensuring that their brand integration in the show is natural and seamless. With this show, I am sure everyone is going to be looking out for that very special Chevrolet!”, says Mr Jack Lim, Vice President of Advertising Sales and Marketing, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia.

Adds Mr David Pang, General Manager of the Alpine Group, the exclusive dealer for Chevrolet, “As a trusted automobile brand with a century’s history of premium quality, there is no other platform that fits our brand as well as AXN, a leading entertainment destination in South East Asia. Likewise, we are pleased to work with AXN again for Cash Cab Asia and we believe that our collaboration will drive both brands to new heights of excellence.”

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Media Enquiries

David Chau
Madison Communications for Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia
T: (852) 2881 1787
E: david@madisonmission.com

About AXN & AXN HD

AXN is the heart of action and adventure. Launched in 1997, AXN is a leading English general entertainment destination among upscale, affluent adults aged 18-39. The channel delivers top-rated drama series, blockbuster features, adventure-reality and first-run lifestyle sports programmes from around the world, as well as dynamic original productions. In 2010, AXN once again cemented its position as Southeast Asia’s No. 1 international channel with The Amazing Race Asia Season 4 and Hawaii Five-0 Season 1.

AXN is an international channel brand that started in Asia, but has since expanded to Latin America and Europe. It is available in 60 countries globally. In Asia, the channel is seen in more than 96 million households across 21 countries, including close to 50 million households on a time-block basis in China.

A provider of unparalleled quality in entertainment, AXN enhanced the viewer experience when it entered the high-definition arena with the launch of AXN HD in March 2009.

AXN ASIA is wholly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and managed by SPE Networks – Asia, which also operates pay-TV channels AXN BEYOND, ANIMAX, SONY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION and ONE.

ESPN HD and ESPNEWS launch exclusively on now TV

HONG KONG, August 15, 2011 – now TV and ESPN STAR Sports (ESS), Asia’s biggest sports content provider, today launch two exciting new TV channels, ESPN HD (Ch.672) and ESPNEWS (Ch.673), exclusively on now TV.

now TV customers can now watch ESS’ stellar lineup of premier sports content all in high definition, including F1, MotoGP, Major League Baseball, Wimbledon, Australian Open, golf majors (The Masters, The Open Championship and US Open), FA Cup and more, on ESPN HD channel.

Sports fans can also catch the best sports news and highlights round-the-clock on the new ESPNEWS channel, the first 24×7 sports news channel specially developed for Asian viewers. It delivers news, scores, updates, highlights and exclusive live interviews from around the globe as and when they happen. The two new channels have enriched the ESS lineup, which also includes the flagship channels of ESPN, STAR Sports and STAR Cricket.

Ms. Janice Lee, PCCW’s Managing Director of TV & New Media, said, “now TV is a pioneer in providing HD content for viewers in Hong Kong, and ESPN HD gives our viewers even more choices in HD sports coverage including F1, FA Cup and many others. Together with our long-standing partner ESS, we are committed to offering viewers the finest lineup of sports content in unparalleled image and sound quality.”

PCCW and ESS will also be introducing shortly the Mobile ESPN live streaming service, which will deliver full live streaming of sports content to enhance the existing Mobile ESPN service to PCCW mobile customers. In addition, an online portal with live and on-demand sports content, known as the ESPN Player, will also be launched. More details will be announced when available.

ESPN STAR Sports’ Executive Vice President, Head of Sales for SEA, Mr. Adam Zecha, said, “Hong Kong is a key pay-TV market with a high demand for quality sports programming. These new multi-platform offerings signify ESPN STAR Sports’ commitment to continually raise the game by reaching out to more sports fans in Hong Kong and giving them an enhanced, comprehensive and engaging sports experience with our new expanded suite of services.”

ESPN HD will be offered as part of the Mega Sports Pack. ESPNEWS is available on now TV for a monthly fee of just HK$10* for Mega Sports Pack subscribers, and HK$20* for non-sports pack subscribers. For offer details, please call PCCW’s hotline on 2888 0008.

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*Terms and conditions apply.

About PCCW Limited

PCCW Limited (SEHK:0008) is the holding company of HKT Group Holdings Limited (HKT), Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications provider and a world-class player in Information and Communications Technologies. PCCW also holds a majority interest in Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited, and overseas investments including the wholly-owned UK Broadband Limited.

As the provider of Hong Kong’s first quadruple-play experience, PCCW/HKT offers a range of innovative media content and services across four platforms – fixed-line, broadband Internet access, TV and mobile. In addition, the Group meets the sophisticated needs of the local and international business community, while supporting network operators with cutting-edge technical services and handling large-scale IT outsourcing projects for public and private sector organizations. To learn more about PCCW and HKT, please visit www.pccw.com.

About now TV

now TV is one of the world’s largest commercial deployments of IPTV and Hong Kong’s largest pay-TV provider. It is delivered by PCCW Media Limited, an operating division of HKT Group Holdings Limited (HKT). HKT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PCCW Limited and holds the PCCW Group’s telecoms services, media and IT solutions businesses. PCCW/HKT is Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications provider and a world-class player in Information and Communications Technologies.

now TV serves Hong Kong with more than 190 channels of local, Asian and international programming, including premium content such as Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, English FA Cup, NBA, French Open, US Open, ATP World Tour, BWF Super Series, World Snooker Tour, F1 and PGA Tour. In addition, now TV is both a leading producer of news, sports and infotainment programming and a provider of a wide range of interactive services. now TV can be enjoyed on PCCW eye2, a portable media center with an embedded now TV decoder, and select now TV content and interactive applications can also be accessed via the Group’s 3G mobile network and broadband service. To learn more about now TV, please visit www.now.com.

About ESPN

ESPN STAR Sports is a 50:50 joint venture between two of the world’s leading cable and satellite broadcasters. As Asia’s biggest sports content provider, ESPN STAR Sports combines the strengths and resources of its parent companies – Walt Disney (ESPN, Inc.) and News Corporation Limited (STAR) – to deliver a diverse array of international and regional sports to fans across multiple platforms.

ESPN STAR Sports features a comprehensive portfolio of multimedia assets including its television networks (ESPN, STAR Sports, STAR Cricket, ESPNEWS, ESPN HD, STAR Cricket HD), broadband network (ESPN Player), digital content services (espnstar.com, mobileESPN), and its on-ground Event Management Group with the aim to engage and entertain sports fans anytime, anyplace.

ESPN STAR Sports showcases an unparalleled variety of premier sports from around the globe featuring some of the most iconic sports events to a cumulative reach of over 300 million viewers in Asia through its 23 television networks and 2 broadband networks, each localized to deliver differentiated programming to meet diverse needs of Asian sports fans.

For further information, please contact:

Ivan Ho
PCCW
Tel: +852 2883 8747
Email: ivan.wy.ho@pccw.com

Elgen Kua
ESPN
Tel: +65 62166034
Email: kuae@espnstar.com