News

Discovery Expands its Network Portfolio in India

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DISCOVERY NETWORKS ASIA-PACIFIC EXPANDS ITS NETWORK PORTFOLIO IN INDIA
-Launches its 7th Network, Discovery Channel Tamil, a unique 24-hour network targeted at Tamil viewers-

New Delhi, August 10, 2011: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific announced today the launch of Discovery Channel Tamil in India. A dedicated 24-hour channel in Tamil language, it will target Tamil viewers in Tamil Nadu and rest of the country. With this launch, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific expands its portfolio to seven channels in India – the flagship Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery HD World and Discovery Channel Tamil.

To commence from August 15, Discovery Channel Tamil will feature programmes from across variety of genres – adventure, survival, science, engineering, natural history, investigation, technology – which will be scheduled to cater to the preferences of Tamil viewers’. Adorning a new and unique look, the network will have independent advertising inventory, thus allowing local Tamil Nadu advertisers to buy network’s air-time. The network will also be a strong advertising platform for national brands targeting Tamil Nadu audience.

Announcing the launch, Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said, “The viewership pattern in Tamil Nadu and rest of India is contrasting and demands customised product offerings. Our intensive research with the Tamil Nadu viewers has encouraged us to launch a dedicated new channel in their native language with focused programmings. I am confident that both local and national advertisers targeting unique and quality audience will find the network a compelling advantage.”

New Programme Launches:

SWAMP BROTHERS

Meet Robbie and Stephen Keszey, an unlikely pair of brothers who run one of the most unique family businesses in the country – working with wild and dangerous animals deep in the swamps of Florida. Their farm also houses Florida’s International Teaching Zoo, which is full of rare species from around the globe and brings in a constant stream of new and different animals each month. In each episode, the brothers put themselves on the line to protect the most unusual of creatures – from pythons and gators to wildcats and bears.

MONSTERS INSIDE ME

features a series of parasites that can easily hijack our bodies, disable our immune system and drain us for life. Once the parasites have been identified, their lifecycles are illustrated. These organisms prey on humans disarraying the inner body functions and can prove to be diminutively yet deceptively deadly. From isolated cases to massive outbreaks, the series features these monsters catching the grip of real-life battles between modern medicine and evolution as the diseased individuals fight off their unseen and unwelcomed assailants.

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

We rarely consider many of the objects that make up the modern world – elevators, carpets, helicopters, street lights, and more. The ordinary and seemingly simple objects that we are surrounded by – and perhaps take for granted – actually have extraordinary beginnings and often intricate working processes. But have you ever thought to ask, HOW DO THEY DO IT? Go behind the scenes to discover how to do the things, and make the things that we use and see all around us every day.

PACIFIC ABYSS

In one of the most ambitious underwater projects undertaken, a 30-strong team of divers, marine biologists and underwater filmmakers join forces to travel nearly 2,000 miles through the tiny islands of Micronesia in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The mission: to search for new species at abyssal depths in remote and unexplored areas and to glory in the marine life of some of the most incredible coral reefs anywhere on Earth. Using the latest in rebreather technology the scuba divers enter the least explored region of the ocean – the ‘Twilight Zone’, an area between 60 and 150 metres. The teams explore World War II wrecks, steep drop offs and deep caverns – all set against the ocean’s most dramatic underwater landscapes.

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About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 210 countries and territories. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 130-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery Science and Discovery HD, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. In Asia-Pacific, seven Discovery brands reach 525 million cumulative subscribers in 34 countries with programming customized in 15 languages.

Contact:

Melissa Tham/Charmaine Huet
melissa_tham@discovery.com/charmaine_huet@discovery.com
DID: (65) 6510 7637/(65) 6510 7545

Turner Broadcasting Announces Turner Media Solutions

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Turner Broadcasting Announces Turner Media Solutions
Launches Online Creative Hub for Advertisers
www.TurnerMediaSolutions.com

HONG KONG (10 August, 2011) – Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc today announced the restructuring of its sponsorship and promotions department to Turner Media Solutions, a full-service in-house agency designed to create customized marketing solutions, unique to Turner clients.

Featuring a team of experienced multi-media professionals from animators and directors, to musicians and game developers, Turner Media Solutions develops holistic campaigns to connect advertisers with audiences across Turner’s 12 entertainment brands.

“As a leader in kids’ and entertainment content creation we’re well placed to offer our clients this core expertise, crafted exactly to their business needs,” said Con Apostolopoulos, Director, Turner Media Solutions.

Coinciding with this announcement is the launch of TurnerMediaSolutions.com, an online creative hub showcasing the breadth of Turner’s entertainment portfolio as well as a library of campaign innovation and case studies to inspire marketers with their planning.

“Whether partners want to engage with kids in India, families in Australia or affluent travelers in Japan, TurnerMediaSolutions.com provides immediate insights into how we can help create something truly unique that will deliver on their objectives,” said Mr. Apostolopoulos.

From animation and customized game development in the kids’ space to original programming throughout Turner’s portfolio of channels, Turner Media Solutions can integrate brands with its programming and characters across TV, web, mobile and live events.

Leveraging the expertise and broader reach of Turner’s research and communications team, and retail specialists across the region, Turner Media Solutions adds significant value to every partnership and works hand in hand with the global Turner family to make every campaign a success.

“Through Turner Media Solutions, we aim to establish close connections with clients and agencies and hope they’ll find our new online creative hub an invaluable resource. We’re committed to creating a very fluid conversation with our clients and TurnerMediaSolutions.com is a great springboard for new ideas,” Mr. Apostolopoulos added.

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About Turner Media Solutions

Turner Media Solutions is a full-service in-house agency designed to create integrated marketing solutions, unique to Turner clients. With its customized approach to advertising and branded entertainment initiatives, Turner Media Solutions connects advertisers with their audiences – across 12 local and regional channels spanning movies, travel, kids and general entertainment. Always ahead of the shifting patterns in media consumption, Turner Media Solutions crafts innovative multiplatform campaigns and content that goes beyond linear cable TV, delivering maximum impact and business results for clients.

About Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc.

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. (TBSAP) creates and distributes award-winning, branded news and entertainment media environments, on television and other platforms, around the Asia Pacific region and beyond. TBSAP’s brands include CNN International, CNNj (Japan), CNNGo, HLN, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Pogo, TCM Turner Classic Movies, truTV, WB, Imagine TV, QTV, MondoTV and Tabi Channel. The Turner brands are available in interactive, non-linear formats, reflecting the company’s innovative and industry-leading approach to delivering compelling content whenever, wherever.

TBSAP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS), a Time Warner company.

For more information, please contact:

Deronie Tan
Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc.
Tel: +852 3128-3720
Email: deronie.tan@turner.com

Celestial Pictures Launches First -Ever Game App for a Chinese Movie

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CELESTIAL PICTURES LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER GAME APP FOR A CHINESE MOVIE

Promotional game for upcoming martial arts movie My Kingdom launches on the web and iTunes

10 August 2011, Hong Kong – Celestial Pictures, the Chinese content company and operator of regional pay-TV channels, took its first step into the gaming business today by launching the first-ever game app for a Chinese movie. Available today, My Kingdom Game can be played via the website www.celestialpictures.com/game/mykingdom.asp or downloaded for free from Apple’s iTunes store (for iPhones and iPod Touches. An iPad compatible version will be released later). Created to promote Celestial’s upcoming martial arts movie of the same name, My Kingdom Game was developed with leading independent Chinese game developer Art Coding. Through a simple, casual rhythm-based game, the tightly-woven tale of two brothers’ quest for fame, love and revenge is unveiled.

“The gaming business is a new frontier for Celestial and our upcoming movie release created a perfect opportunity for us to launch a promotional game and target young audiences who interact with entertainment across broad media including their mobile devices,” said Ross Pollack, CEO, Celestial Pictures. “We are proud that this is the first game app for a Chinese movie and we look forward to bringing new and exciting content to the market including modern reinterpretations of our iconic Shaw Brothers Film Library.”

Based on the storyline of the movie, players can choose to be either of the two main characters from the movie played by young idols Wu Chun and Han Geng. Players need to tap on a drum (controlled by keyboard or by tapping directly on the screen of their iPhone or iPod Touch) to match with icons on the screen in order to gain points. Bonus items await players as they navigate through various levels. Players will be awarded with movie stills when they successfully pass each stage of the challenge. Upon completing all four stages of the game and three stages of difficulty, players will be awarded with the “The Mightiest Warrior” plaque; the same plaque all the characters are fighting for in the movie. For mainland China players, the game has a function tied to their Sina Weibo accounts allowing their scores to be displayed on their Sina Weibo micro-blogging updates.

My Kingdom Game is Celestial’s first game since appointing Justin Weng as Vice President, Game Development and Licensing back in April. My Kingdom (Da Wu Sheng), the movie, is a martial arts action drama starring Wu Chun, Han Geng, and Barbie Hsu, written by acclaimed writer Zou Jingzhi (Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles), action directed by the legendary Sammo Hung and directed by Gao Xiaosong.

For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/dawusheng.

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Media enquiries

Pauline Poon
Celestial Pictures
T: (852) 2626 8131/ 9776 5564
E: pauline.poon@celestialpictures.com

About Celestial Pictures

Celestial Pictures is a diversified entertainment company that brings the best of Asian entertainment to the world. The company focuses on Asian-language film and television content origination, aggregation and worldwide distribution, as well as the operation of global television channels, including CELESTIAL MOVIES, CELESTIAL CLASSIC MOVIES and WaTV.

The company owns the Shaw Brothers Film Library, the world’s largest Chinese film collection, with over 760 feature films originally released over a forty-year time frame. These award-winning Shaw Brothers films have been digitally restored frame-by-frame, and distributed in cinemas and on home video, television, and new media markets worldwide.

Celestial Pictures is also active in producing new feature films and acquiring third-party film content for worldwide distribution with an option to broadcast on its television channels.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Celestial Pictures is a subsidiary of ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS plc.

Dr. Ya-Hui Chiu Assumes New Role as Advisor to President & CEO of AsiaSat

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Dr. Ya-Hui Chiu Assumes New Role as Advisor to President & CEO of AsiaSat

Hong Kong, 9 August 2011 – Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), Asia’s leading satellite operator, announced the appointment of Dr. Ya-Hui Chiu as Advisor to the President and CEO of AsiaSat following his retirement from the position of Vice President, Technical Operations on 31 July 2011.

“On behalf of AsiaSat, I would like to thank Dr. Chiu for his years of excellent service and the enormous contributions he made to the Company. I am extremely grateful that Dr. Chiu is assuming a new consulting role with AsiaSat to continue to make contribution to the ongoing expansion of our satellite fleet,” said William Wade, President & CEO of AsiaSat.

Dr. Chiu joined AsiaSat in 1989. During his tenure of service, Dr Chiu made sterling contribution to the company expansion. He played a fundamental role in all technical matters involving the launch of AsiaSat 1, AsiaSat 2, AsiaSat 3S, AsiaSat 4 and AsiaSat 5, and in maintaining and operating the satellite fleet, and interfacing with customers’ operations and technical needs. Dr. Chiu will continue to oversee the launch of AsiaSat 7, currently scheduled for the 4th quarter this year.

Dr. Chiu received his B.S. degree from National Taiwan University, M. Phil and Ph.D. degrees from Yale University, all in Physics.

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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, reaching over 96 million households, with more than 360 million viewers 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 

PCCW launches uHub, a cloud-based multimedia storage service

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PCCW launches uHub, a cloud-based multimedia storage service

HONG KONG, August 9, 2011 – PCCW is introducing a cloud-based multimedia storage service, uHub, that will enable consumers to upload and download their beloved music and photos, videos, as well as documents anytime, anywhere for immediate enjoyment or use via a personal computer or a handheld device. With a video transcoding feature, uHub is the first such service introduced by a telecom service provider in Hong Kong.

Powered by PCCW’s advanced fiber infrastructure, uHub provides a secure, convenient and cost-effective way for customers to upload and download different kinds of digital content for easy retrieval for work or leisure, whether they are outdoor or indoor. A customer may have up to 50GB of storage space, which is equivalent to the total volume of thousands of videos or more than 10,000 songs. Access to the uHub service and multimedia files is secure because the database is locally based and there is no need to route the traffic through overseas Internet connections.

With customers’ entertainment needs in mind, uHub’s sophisticated functions include cloud-based video transcoding for video playback – watching videos in formats such as 3GP, AVI, FLV, M4V, MOV, MP4, MPG, MPEG, RM, RV, RMVB, WMV, M2TS, MTS, TS and MKV could not be easier.

Mr. Tom Chan, PCCW’s Managing Director of Consumer Group, said, “More and more residential broadband users also own a smartphone or a tablet. uHub serves the needs of this fast growing segment to upload and download large-sized multimedia files through cloud-based storage either at home or on the road anytime, anywhere. I am confident this service will be widely embraced by consumers.”

uHub is specially designed for smartphones and tablets. PCCW customers on-the-go can enjoy high-speed transmission of their favorite entertainment contents via PCCW mobile’s extensive 42M* Dual Carrier HSPA+ Fiber high-speed network, as well as more than 9,000 PCCW Wi-Fi hotspots in town.

A free uHub App is now available for a wide variety of smartphones and tablets. Once the App has been downloaded, customers may sign up on the uHub website to enjoy the service immediately. Regardless of whether the device is a smartphone or a tablet, a customer may freely access the service and the digital content, which is stored on the cloud-based server instead of the handset. Such operating system independent feature makes uHub particularly attractive to consumers who often upgrade their handsets, which may be of different operating systems.

During the promotional period between now and October 31, 2011, newly registered or upgrading customers who subscribe to NETVIGATOR or PCCW mobile services can enjoy a huge 25GB of free uHub storage. For more details, please call our sales hotline +852 2888 0008 or visit the website www.uhub.com.

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* 42M is a network specification. The network specification will not correspond to the speed experienced by an individual customer as a customer’s speed will be affected by the user’s device, transmission technology, individual network and software used, network configuration and coverage, usage levels and extraneous factors.

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 LimitedAs 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.

For more information, please contact:

Stella Wong
Group Communications
Tel: +852 2888 8253
Email: stella.wm.wong@pccw.com

TRACE Sports HD Launches into Asia via AsiaSat 5

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TRACE Sports HD Launches into Asia via AsiaSat 5

Hong Kong, 8 August 2011 – Asia’s leading satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat) is pleased to announce that media group TRACE has signed a new lease agreement for additional C-band capacity on AsiaSat 5 to launch its new TRACE Sports HD channel in the Asia-Pacific region.

From 1 August, TRACE Sports HD debuts on Hong Kong Broadband Network’s bbtv, with more exciting carriage agreements in Asia to be announced in the coming months.

TRACE Sports HD offers the best stories about sports celebrities. With unprecedented access to the world’s sporting elite, it is a channel of entertainment, personal stories and lifestyle content dedicated to sports fans. The channel is broadcast in English with subtitles in Mandarin and Korean, and made available to cable, DTH, broadband and mobile platforms across Asia and Australasia.

“At TRACE Sports HD, we love champions, and therefore we are thrilled to further expand our partnership with AsiaSat, our champion satellite partner in Asia, to introduce our new HD service to the region’s passionate community of sports fans,” said Olivier Laouchez, Chairman and CEO of TRACE.

James Ross, CEO of Lightning International which represents TRACE in Asia, added, “Joining AsiaSat 5, one of Asia’s premier distribution platforms for HD services, allows us to further grow our viewership through their unprecedented coverage and excellent access to Asian pay TV platforms.”

“We are pleased that TRACE has chosen AsiaSat again to expand their brand and content in Asia. TRACE Sports HD’s unique and compelling programming coupled with superb image and sound quality, will definitely give Asian viewers more choice and an enhanced viewing experience,” said William Wade, President and CEO of AsiaSat.

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About TRACE

TRACE is an international brand and media group dedicated to 2 themes: music and sport celebrities. Their 5 music channels under the name of TRACE Urban and TRACE Tropical are present in 150 countries and available to 50 million subscribers via 26 satellites. The channels are ranked the Number 1, 2 or 3 music channels in 80 countries and licensed in 9 countries to mobile and radio operators. In June 2011, TRACE launched TRACE Sports HD, the first channel dedicated to sport celebrities. Olivier Laouchez created TRACE GROUP in 2003. With him the group is owned by his associated managers and two investment foundations that are Entrepreneurs Venture and Citizen Capital. Additional information on TRACE can be found at http://eng.trace.tv/

About AsiaSat 5

AsiaSat 5 is a Space Systems/Loral’s 1300 satellite launched in August 2009 and replaced AsiaSat 2 at the orbital location of 100.5 degrees East. AsiaSat 5 carries 26 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders, and has a design life of 15 years. Its powerful C-band footprint covers over 50 countries and regions spanning from Russia to New Zealand and from Japan to the Middle East and parts of Africa. The Ku-band coverage consists of two high powered fixed beams serving East Asia and South Asia, as well as a steerable beam currently positioned over Indochina.

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, reaching over 96 million households, with more than 360 million viewers 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:

TRACE

Kiri Sinclair, Sinclair Communications
Tel : (852) 2915 1534
Email : kiri@sinclairasia.com

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 

CASBAA launches talent development programme

Hong Kong, 8 August 2011 – CASBAA and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) of China have announced the creation of the CGWIC-CASBAA Internship Programme.

With seed funding from CGWIC, CASBAA will offer internship opportunities in support of international university students specialising in communications, legal/regulatory and international relations.

Participants will be engaged in hands-on support for CASBAA’s mission to “Inform, Represent and Connect” the multichannel TV industry across Asia.

“The development of human capital for the continued growth of the pay television industry is vitally important and we are delighted that CGWIC is providing support for this initiative,” said Marcel Fenez, Chairman of CASBAA.

The internships will be offered seasonally to qualified applicants initially working at the CASBAA headquarters in Hong Kong or at participating member companies’ locations.

The internship opportunities will be posted on the CASBAA website and further announced through general CASBAA communications.

Yin Li Ming, President of satellite launch specialist CGWIC, commented: “CGWIC is pleased to provide the ‘seed stage’ funding for this important programme. Identifying talented youngsters throughout the Asia Pacific and providing them with important professional experience will help to grow a healthy and collaborative culture throughout the cable and satellite community. We sincerely hope other CASBAA member firms will join us in expanding this program throughout our industry in Asia and beyond.”

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About China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC):

CGWIC is one of the largest providers of commercial launch services in the world with 3 active launch sites. After 30 years’ development, CGWIC has developed into a system integrator for space products and services, meeting customers’ multi-directional needs by providing comprehensive solutions for commercial launch services, satellite export, satellite ground tracking and control station, satellite applications, project financing, project insurance and technical training, etc.

About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia for the past two decades. Spanning 16 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 365 million pay-TV homes through a footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content through industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

For enquiries, please contact:

Desmond Chung, PR & Communications Manager, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1712
Email: desmond@casbaa.com

Adela Chen, Director, Marketing & Communications, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1711
Email: adela@casbaa.com

Focus Media Network hooks Gen2 Partners

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Focus Media Network Receives Endorsement FromInstitutional Investo

Gen2 Partners Acquires Additional 10 million Shares fromOpen Market to Boost its Stake to 9.65%

(Hong Kong and Singapore, 7 August 2011) ― Focus Media Network Limited (“Focus MediaNetwork” or “the Company”; Stock code: 8112), the largest digital Out-of-Home media company inHong Kong and Singapore by the number of venues in which the Company deploys its digital flatpaneldisplays, announced that one of the funds managed by Asia based Gen2 Partners Limited(“Gen2 Partners”), has acquired an additional 10 million ordinary shares from the open market on29 July 2011. As a result, Gen2 Partners now owns 9.65% of the issued share capital of FocusMedia Network, becoming the Company’s third largest shareholder.

Mr P J Wong, co-founder, Chairman, CEO and Executive Director of Focus Media Network,said, “We are very encouraged to receive this endorsement from Gen2 Partners, a leadinginstitutional investor in the Asian investment community with firm-wide AUM and assets underadvisory of approximately USD 1 billion. This has given our management team greater confidencein pursuing even more ambitious growth strategies. With the support from Barry and his team, ourCompany will now be able to go far-reaching places that we alone would otherwise not be able to.”

Mr Barry Lau, Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer of Gen2 Partners, commented:“We are extremely enthused by the prospects of Focus Media Network’s developments under thestewardship of chairman and CEO of the Company, PJ Wong. We had wanted more allocation atthe placement. However, as the Company’s placement was extremely popular resulting in its oversubscriptionby investors, we decided to acquire an additional 10 million shares from the openmarket post listing. We have high expectations for both the Company and the management teamand we see considerable room for the Company to further enhance its market penetration withsteady growth and market development. Its potential and profitability prospects remain impressive.”Focus Media Network Receives Endorsement From Institutional Investor7 August 2011Page | 2Focus Media Network was recently listed on the GEM board of The Stock Exchange of Hong KongLimited on 28 July 2011, with shares priced at the top end of the indicative price range, or 20 timesthe Company’s FY2010 price/earnings multiple. The Company is scheduled on 9 August 2011 toannounce its interim results for the six-months ended 30 June 2011.

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About Focus Media Network Limited (Stock code: 8112)
Focus Media Network is a well-established digital Out-of-Home media company in Hong Kong andSingapore, with an operating history since April 2004. The Group pioneered the concept of creating asizeable network of flat-panel displays in elevator lobbies of office and commercial buildings to selladvertisement. In terms of the number of venues, Focus Media Network is the largest digital OOH mediacompany that has created a sizeable network in elevator lobbies of office and commercial buildings in HongKong and Singapore. Visit Focus Media Network at: www.FocusMedia.tv

About Gen2 Partners Limited
Incorporated in March 2008, Gen2 Partners Limited, an Asian based independent alternative assetmanagement firm, is one of the leading investment management and advisory companies in Asia withcurrently firm-wide AUM and assets under advisory of approximately USD 1 billion. Its diversified businesscomprises fund of hedge funds, hedge fund and private equity. Visit Gen2 Partners Limited at:www.gen2partners.com

Media Enquires:
Focus Media Network Limited
Catherine Leung     catherine.leung@focusmedia.tv
Tel:(852) 3588 8266
Fax:(852) 3588 8299

Aries Consulting Limited
Mark Lee                 marklee@ariesconsulting.com.hk
Kent Lo                   kentlo@ariesconsulting.com.hk
Janice Wong           janicewong@ariesconsulting.com.hk
Tel:(852) 2610 0846
Fax:(852) 2601 0842

Dave Habiger Appointed CEO of NDS

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DAVE HABIGER APPOINTED CEO OF NDS GROUP LTD.
DR. ABE PELED BECOMES EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

LONDON, UK –July 25, 2011 – NDS Group Ltd. today announced the appointment of Dave Habiger as Chief Executive Officer, and that in his continuing role with the company, Dr. Abe Peled, previously Chairman and CEO, will assume the full time position of Executive Chairman.

Dave Habiger, 42, began his career in media as a founder of Providence Productions. In 1992 he began working with the founding members of Sonic Solutions, later playing an important role in the company’s IPO in 1994 (NASDAQ: SNIC). As President and COO he organized and managed a global software development team, later becoming CEO in 2005. As CEO of Sonic, he leveraged his 15 year partnership with the Hollywood studios to help move the industry from DVD distribution to internet delivery of movies and TV shows, establishing a leadership role as one of the largest global providers of premium movies and TV shows via the Web and consumer electronic devices. Dave led the company to a successful reinvention of its core business, leading to the sale of Sonic to Rovi Corporation (NASDAQ: ROVI) in early 2011. In 2011 Dave was chosen as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2009 as The American Business Defense and Advisory Council Entrepreneur of the Year.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Abe Peled, 65, said: “After 16 rewarding years at the helm of NDS, the time has come to start the transition to the leadership that will take NDS forward over the next decade and beyond. NDS has a strong and experienced management team, and an unparalleled cadre of talented and dedicated employees with a proven track record in pay-TV; it has been a privilege to work with them to establish NDS as the market leader in this area. Dave brings to NDS experience as a CEO, and a passion and record of accomplishment in the areas of new media and web delivery that will be increasingly important to NDS and its customers over the next decade. I remain committed to the continuing long term success of NDS.”

Dr. Peled continued “As Executive Chairman, a full time position, I will focus on providing strategic, operational, and customer relationship continuity and will support Dave with this new challenge in every way possible. This continuity will ensure that our customers who depend on us to continue and invest in technology, deliver new products and systems, and outstanding customer support, can continue to count on NDS to help their business prosper.”

Dave Habiger said: “Having spent the last two decades working to help deliver personal and premium content to as many people as possible I am thrilled to continue that journey with the market leader in the delivery of pay-television worldwide. The industry will be going through significant changes over the next few years as it embraces over-the-top broadband delivery to expand customer choice and convenience. I am convinced that NDS is uniquely positioned to offer the technologies and solutions that make content easily accessible to consumers and valuable to service providers. I am honoured to be working with the largest and finest research, development, and delivery teams in the industry and with a management team that has helped define the industry since the early 1990’s.”

Commenting on the announcement on behalf of the NDS Board, Bruce Chizen, added: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Abe for his contributions over the last 16 years, and for his continuing commitment to the long term success of NDS in his new role as Executive Chairman. Over this period the company expanded over twenty five fold and has established a clear leadership position in technology, and products for the pay-TV industry worldwide. We welcome Dave Habiger as the new CEO, and are looking forward to supporting him and Abe, as they take the Company forward to its next phase of growth by offering great products and support to our customers, great opportunities to our employees and returns to shareholders.”

For further information:

NDS

Amy Lucas T: +44 20 8476 8243
Corporate Communications alucas@nds.com

About NDS

NDS Group Ltd. creates the technologies and applications that enable pay-TV operators to securely deliver digital content to TV STBs (set-top boxes), DVRs (digital video recorders), PCs, mobiles and other multimedia devices. Over 80 of the world’s leading pay-TV platforms rely on NDS solutions to protect and enhance their businesses. VideoGuard® is the world’s market-leading conditional access (CA) and digital rights management (DRM) technology, currently deployed on 155 million active devices, and safeguarding pay-TV service revenues exceeding $50 billion. NDS middleware, including MediaHighway® which enables a host of advanced services for subscribers, has been deployed on 195 million devices. NDS DVR technology, centred around XTV™, leads the global industry with 41 million units deployed. (Deployment figures as of 30th June 2011).

Headquartered in the UK, with over 5000 employees, NDS remains committed to investing in R&D with over 75% of its employees dedicated to pioneering work at development centres in China, France, India, Israel, Korea, UK and US. NDS has also implemented a host of initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and helping digital TV subscribers reduce energy consumption.

NDS Group Ltd. is a private company owned by the Permira Funds and News Corporation. See www.nds.com for more information.

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MCMC: Request for proposal for digital terrestrial TV broadcasting out soon

Friday August 5, 2011

PETALING JAYA: The request for proposal (RFP) for digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) will be issued soon, said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

However, the regulator did not say how much of the controversial 700MHz spectrum would be used by the broadcasters or the telecoms player in the digital era.

The “700MHz band is currently being used for broadcasting and the spectrum band for DTTB is 470MHz – 742MHz.”

The telecoms and broadcasting industry need the spectrum for their broadcasting needs. The telcos are becoming broadcasters by pushing TV contents to their users.

To read the full article, please visit http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/8/5/business/9242198&sec=business