News

Robin New Director HR

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Jean-Louis Robin to succeed Izy Béhar as Eutelsat Director Human Resources

Paris, 12 April 2012 – Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced that from 27 April, Jean-Louis Robin will assume the post of Director of Human Resources of the Group, replacing Izy Béhar who is retiring from Eutelsat after 12 years with the company. Jean-Louis Robin will also oversee the Group’s IT Department, headed by Jean-Michel Pernaut.

Jean-Louis will bring to Eutelsat extensive experience in human resource management in international groups, including almost 10 years at TDF where he was Group Secretary General and Human Resources Director, five years in subsidiaries and divisions of France Telecom and four years at Coca Cola Enterprise. He began his career in the energy sector, at Framatome (today Areva).

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO said: “As Director of Human Resources since 1999, Izy has played a key role in steering staff through milestones that include Eutelsat’s transformation into a private company in 2001 and the Group’s stock market listing in 2005. During this time, we have more than doubled our human resource, with offices and teleports staffed by skilled professionals now operating in Europe, the Americas and Asia. I pay tribute to his commitment and professionalism throughout his tenure with Eutelsat.”

“Jean-Louis will drive our Human Resource activities going forward as we pursue our expansion. His broad corporate talents and experience in international groups will support our commitment to constantly increase the expertise required to satisfy clients, to grow the business and to be a reference for service, innovation and responsibility.”

Jean-Louis Robin is a French national and a graduate of IEP (Institut d’Etudes Politiques) of Paris.

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 28 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world’s three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. As of 31 December 2011, Eutelsat’s satellites were broadcasting more than 4,150 television channels. More than 1,100 channels are broadcast via its HOT BIRD video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East alone which serves over 120 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group’s satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat’s broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates access to high speed internet services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ just over 700 commercial, technical and operational professionals from 30 countries.

www.eutelsat.com

For further information

Press
Vanessa O’Connor / Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91 / voconnor@eutelsat.fr
Frédérique Gautier / Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91 / fgautier@eutelsat.fr

Investors & Analysts
Lisa Finas / Tel: +33 1 53 98 35 30 / investors@eutelsat-communications.com
Léonard Wapler / Tel: +33 1 53 98 31 07 / investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Hughes Completes Installation of HN Broadband Satellite System in Malaysia

Hughes Completes Installation of HN Broadband Satellite System for Numix Engineering in Malaysia
Enables high throughput networking for government agencies and SMEs at affordable prices

Germantown, Md., USA, 10 April 2012—Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, today announced that it has completed installation and commissioned an HN System comprising a multi-spot beam HN NOC (network operations center) and over 1000 HN9200 Ku-band remote terminals for Numix Engineering Sdn Bhd, a partner with Telekom Malaysia for Ku-band satellite VSAT services.

Numix provides telecommunications services to Telekom Malaysia and its customers who are mainly government agencies and small and medium enterprises, supporting a wide range of applications such as broadband Internet, Voice over IP (VoIP), IPTV distribution, and distance education.

“After a competitive analysis, we selected Hughes for their experience in designing satellite gateways for high-throughput system (HTS) platforms and the smaller footprint of Hughes’ NOC equipment along with greater flexibility in NOC scalability,” said Abdul Razak, managing director of Numix Engineering. “Additionally, we were impressed with the new high-performance HN9200 remote terminals with enhanced traffic processing capability, the best-in-class features of bandwidth efficiency, quality of service, and ease of remote commissioning for faster rollouts.”

Commented Vaibhav Magow, regional director of Asia/Pacific sales and marketing for Hughes, said, “We are very pleased to have been awarded this contract. This is further evidence of Hughes leadership in the HTS market and the HN System’s compatibility with the IPStar HTS system in Asia.”

The powerful and flexible HN platform enables Numix to launch broadband service plans with speeds of 4 Mbps and above at cost-effective service pricing, and to provide high throughput broadband links for government agencies and SMEs using small 98 cm antennas.

According to Razak, “The new Hughes HN System allows Numix to address both spectrums of the market; at one end we can launch competitive service plans for thin route applications, and on the other hand we can provide service plans for customers requiring broadband speeds of 4 Mbps and above at affordable prices.”

About Numix Engineering

Numix Engineering Sdn Bhd was established in 1997 to overcome the shortage of available local expertise involved in the supply and system integration of high technology products and the provision of their associated specialized engineering and support services to complement the high growth areas of Broadcasting (Radio & TV), Telecommunications (Satellite & Terrestrial/Fibre Optics & Microwave), Multimedia, Defense, and other related high-tech industries in the country.

Since then, Numix has transformed into an established telecommunications service provider in Malaysia specializing in VSAT Broadband services following the signing of a partnership agreement with Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) in early 2008. Numix is an exclusive partner for TM for providing Ku-band VSAT services. Numix’s position as a telecommunications operator was further strengthened following the award of relevant telecommunications operating licenses in 2009 from the Malaysian government.

Numix currently owns and operates multiple Ku-band VSAT satellite gateways over two different satellites, including the six spot beam HN NOC on IPStar, thus making them a leading Ku-band VSAT service provider in Malaysia.

For additional information, please visit www.numix-engineering.com.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world’s leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. HughesNet® is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 2.8 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing over 50 percent market share. Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

New sat-tax could hit Indian broadcasting

April 11, 2012 – A host of international business associations from a wide range of India’s major trading partner and investment partner countries have urged the Indian government to abandon to impose sweeping retroactive taxation affecting a large number of industries. CASBAA has taken up advocacy on behalf of the international satellite industry. Both satellite operators and their Indian customers and consumers would suffer from the planned imposition of new tax rules. In its letter to the Indian Finance Ministry, CASBAA noted – as far as the satellite industry is concerned – retroactivity could not be justified on the basis that the government was merely “clarifying” existing tax law. Said CASBAA: “certain concepts that are fundamental to satellite services (i.e. satellite, up-linking, amplification, conversion for down-linking of any signal)…were not prevalent in India in 1976 and thus, it is inconceivable to think that a concept that did not exist in 1976 was intended to have been present in the legislation.”

To view articles on this issue, please visit:

http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/04/10/new-sat-tax-could-cripple-indian-broadcasting/

http://www.spacenews.com/policy/120405-sat-operators-protest-indian-tax.html

For CASBAA Members Only: Copies of the letters to the Finance Minister by CASBAA, and by the international business associations, can be found on thispage.

Breaking new ground for satellite TV reception in France

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FRANSAT, SAMSUNG and NEOTION break new ground for satellite TV reception in France
Satellite reception of free DTT channels now available with no external tuner

Paris, 10 April 2012 – FRANSAT, SAMSUNG and NEOTION today unveiled the new face of satellite reception of free DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) channels in France. The three companies have combined their skills to integrate a satellite receiver and a DTT module for FRANSAT into Samsung televisions in its 2012 range (ES series). The pack comprises a decryption module produced by Neotion and an access card for subscription-free reception of FRANSAT, the French satellite TV platform owned by Eutelsat.

This new product takes reception of FRANSAT to new levels of simplicity. Viewers no longer need an external set-top-box or a second remote control. They simply need to slot the FRANSAT access card into the module and then insert the module into the Common Interface (CI) of the TV set which is already pre-equipped with a satellite tuner.

The system uses the CI Plus specification which is designed to support the authentication and encryption mechanisms that provide a secure channel between the Conditional Access Module (CAM) and Samsung’s integrated digital TV (IDTV). The module developed by Neotion uses Viaccess conditional access and complies with the high technical, functionality and security parameters set by FRANSAT.

This integrated solution is compatible in the first phase with Samsung’s ES series of IDTVs (5700/6300/65X0/6710/7000/8000 (1)). Using the HbbTV standard, these LED displays also enable access to interactive services that will progressively be rolled out on the FRANSAT platform. FRANSAT modules will be commercialised in France at the recommended retail price of 129€. Sales will start in the Boulanger chain of stores and via the Andom, Pulsat, Compétence and DEFI networks of antenna specialists, prior to being progressively extended to other retail outlets.

(1) For a list of compatible TV sets: www.fransat.fr/_fichiers/telechargement/fichiers/fichier_122.pdf
For additional photo material see www.fransat.fr/_fichiers/telechargement/fichiers/fichier_121.pdf

About FRANSAT

FRANSAT is the simple and fast solution to subscription-free reception in France of 19 DTT channels, four HD channels, the 24 regional windows of the France 3 network and additional regional, local and thematic TV and radio channels. FRANSAT is a subsidiary of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) and is available in France via the EUTELSAT 5 West A satellite located at 5° West.

For more information please visit www.fransat.fr.

Press contacts:
Vanessa O’Connor: voconnor@eutelsat.fr
Marie-Sophie Ecuer: mecuer@eutelsat.fr
Tel: +33 1 53 98 37 91

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2011 consolidated sales of US$143.1 billion. Employing approximately 206,000 people in 197 offices across 72 countries, the company operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LED. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world’s most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Press contact: Henry Conseil, Anne Sophie Duport / Tel: + 33 1 46 22 76 43 agence@henryconseil.com

About NEOTION

NEOTION is a French high-tech company providing innovative solutions for the international Digital Television market since 2000 and is a listed Company on Euronext since 2006 (Alternext code: ALNEO). We develop and distribute a large range of CI & CI Plus Conditional Access Modules for Set Top Boxes or for Digital TV Set, dedicated to Pay TV Operators seeking to maximise their ARPU and to optimise their costs. NEOTION also presents CI Plus Advanced Modules: a range of disruptive and advanced solutions enabling CI Plus interactivity, security, memory storage and IP, NFC, Bluetooth, Wifi or GSM connectivity for CI Plus TV sets. NEOTION is a leading provider of highly-sophisticated System-on-a-Chip (SoC) Digital TV processors, as well as turnkey sub-systems and reference designs thanks to its own Asic Design Center. More than 100 people work to ensure the company’s success; more than 60% have an engineering profile (Research and Development, Support, Qualification). Since it was formed, NEOTION has dedicated over 30 M€ budget to R&D and has successfully registered more than 30 patents which it owns. NEOTION is an active Member of several Standardization and Digital TV committees, namely DVB and CI Plus LLP.

For more information please visit www.neotion.com

Press contact: Christophe Depernet, Communications Director, press@neotion.com

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 28 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world’s three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. As of 31 December 2011, Eutelsat’s satellites were broadcasting more than 4,150 television channels. More than 1,100 channels are broadcast via its HOT BIRD video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East alone which serves over 120 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group’s satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat’s broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates access to high speed internet services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ just over 700 commercial, technical and operational professionals from 30 countries.

www.eutelsat.com

Cartoon Network’s SNAPTOONS Taps Southeast Asian Talent

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Singapore announces three finalists; Malaysia to premiere two animated shorts

HONG KONG (APRIL 10, 2012) – Cartoon Network Asia’s SNAPTOONS, a program designed to identify the next generation of cartoon heroes, today announced three finalists from Singapore and the completion of two animated shorts from Malaysia. Shortlisted finalists are chosen based on the originality and creativity of the concept while fulfilling the Cartoon Network criteria of being fun, funny and character driven.

“Original content lies at the heart of Cartoon Network and we’re seeing some refreshingly awesome ideas emerging from animators in Southeast Asia that have incredible potential,” said Silas Hickey, Regional Creative Director of Animation, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. “With the amazing support of both Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and MDeC from Singapore and Malaysia respectively, Cartoon Network is committed to nurturing local talent and bringing SNAPTOONS to even greater heights in this region.”

The three Singapore shortlists are 101 Ways: The World by Sabreena Shanu; Maxine Starr Last Vanguard of the Zodiac by Kane Wheatley-Holder; and DNA – Definitely Not Animals by Dreamforest Animation – with production of shorts expected to be completed by 2014. The completed shorts from Malaysia are Blox Brigade by Unizaru; and Ziro The Wizard…In Training by Tomato Animation. Both shorts, four and ten minutes long respectively, took a year to complete.

Said Mr Yeo Chun Cheng, Director of Broadcast, Animation, Film and Music, MDA, “Turner’s commitment to source for original content from Singapore is commendable, and in line with our strategy of nurturing and showcasing the next generation of media talents on an international platform. Indeed, we were pleasantly surprised to receive more than 40 entries from budding and professional animators, three of which have been selected by Turner for further development. We certainly hope to see more of these homegrown ideas blossom into popular content with strong global appeal, in time to come.”

Speaking about the programme Kamil Othman, the Vice President for the Creative Multimedia Department at MDeC said, programmes like SNAPTOONS provides an excellent opportunity for members of the local creative fraternities to convene and share their knowledge, insights and ideas with their regional, and even global, counterparts. This will in turn inspire the birth and growth of a new generation of animation studios and talents who can lead Malaysia’s creative content and ideas to critical international acclaim. Beyond that, programmes like SNAPTOONS also provide local budding animators with the opportunity to meet with renowned international animators and studios and develop international partnerships and collaborations.

SNAPTOONS (Short New Asia Pacific Cartoons) invites animation industry professionals, individual animators and animation studios to submit their pitches with the potential to see their ideas come to life alongside Cartoon Network’s lineup of iconic characters including Ben 10, Gumball and Darwin, Chowder, The Powerpuff Girls and Johnny Bravo, which developed as a result of the SNAPTOONS initiative.

For more information on the program, interested parties can visit the SNAPTOONS site at www.snaptoons.org.

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About SNAPTOONS

Originally conceived in 2006 as a regional Asia-Pacific project, SNAPTOONS takes Cartoon Network’s commitment to nurturing home-grown creative talent to a whole new level. From concepts submitted through the original SNAPTOONS search, Cartoon Network has been working with studios all across the region to bring these ideas to life through this original content development initiative. Out of this first SNAPTOONS, Cartoon Network has produced, or is in production, on a variety of projects including Kul Veera (India), Johnny Bravo Goes To Bollywood (India), Hi-So Hillbilly (Thailand) and Exchange Student Zero (Australia).

About Cartoon Network Asia Pacific

Cartoon Network, the number one kids’ channel in Asia Pacific, offers the best in original animated entertainment while drawing from the world’s most iconic cartoon library of Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera titles. Original series showcased on Cartoon Network include the globally popular series Ben 10, Ben 10 Alien Force, Ben 10 Ultimate Alien, Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, Chowder, The Powerpuff Girls and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. Cartoon Network is available in 23 territories throughout Asia Pacific and is currently seen in over 63 million cable homes in the region. Online, Cartoon Network reaches nearly five million unique visitors a month in Asia Pacific.

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of multiplatform news and entertainment content around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

About Media Development Authority (MDA) Singapore

The Media Development Authority of Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg) promotes the growth of globally competitive film, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation and interactive digital media industries. It also regulates the media sector to safeguard the interests of consumers, and promotes a connected society.

About Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) Malaysia

The Multimedia Development Corporation is a unique organization established to direct and oversee MSC Malaysia, the national ICT development initiative, by advising the Malaysian Government on legislation and policies, developing industry-specific practices and setting the standards for multimedia and digital operations. MDeC is also responsible for promoting MSC Malaysia locally and globally, whilst providing strategic support to MSC Malaysia Status Companies. For more information, please visit www.mdec.my

For more information, please contact:

Angela Lau
Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc.
Tel: +852-3128-3780
Email: angela.lau@turner.com

Michelle Lim
Media Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65-8183-3947
Email: michelle_LIM@mda.gov.sg

Radha Warrier
Multimedia Development Corporation
Tel: +603-8315-3250
Email: radha@mdec.com.my

New sat-tax could hit Indian broadcasting

April 11, 2012 – A host of international business associations from a wide range of India’s major trading partner and investment partner countries have urged the Indian government to abandon to impose sweeping retroactive taxation affecting a large number of industries. CASBAA has taken up advocacy on behalf of the international satellite industry. Both satellite operators and their Indian customers and consumers would suffer from the planned imposition of new tax rules. In its letter to the Indian Finance Ministry, CASBAA noted – as far as the satellite industry is concerned – retroactivity could not be justified on the basis that the government was merely “clarifying” existing tax law. Said CASBAA: “certain concepts that are fundamental to satellite services (i.e. satellite, up-linking, amplification, conversion for down-linking of any signal)…were not prevalent in India in 1976 and thus, it is inconceivable to think that a concept that did not exist in 1976 was intended to have been present in the legislation.”

To view articles on this issue, please visit:

http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/04/10/new-sat-tax-could-cripple-indian-broadcasting/

http://www.spacenews.com/policy/120405-sat-operators-protest-indian-tax.html

For CASBAA Members Only: Copies of the letters to the Finance Minister by CASBAA, and by the international business associations, can be found on this page.

Nat Geo Wild Greenlights Leader of the Pack

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NAT GEO WILD GREENLIGHTS LEADER OF THE PACK WITH CESAR MILLAN FROM POWWOW MEDIA PARTNERS
New 12-Part Series Marks First Global Production Featuring Cesar Millan with Episodes Filmed in the U.K., Italy, Netherlands and Spain

28 March 2012 − Nat Geo Wild announced today that it has commissioned the 12-part series Leader of the Pack with world-renowned Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan. In the new series produced by POWWOW Media Partners, Millan combats the global issue of canine abandonment, giving “unadoptable” dogs a second chance and coaching families from across Europe who are vying for the opportunity to adopt these lucky pups. The announcement was made today by National Geographic Channels President Howard T. Owens and Nat Geo WILD Senior Vice President Geoff Daniels.

With countless dogs abandoned across the globe and carrying scars from their experiences that make them poor candidates for adoption, Millan steps in to rehabilitate those dogs whose uncertain futures are threatened with lifelong incarceration or euthanasia. Transferring extreme cases to his Dog Psychology Center — this time in Spain — Millan will rely on his framework dog behavioral expertise as well as his instincts to isolate each dog’s problem issues, reverse bad habits and give dogs the confidence and ability to join their new “pack”. Cesar will employ his “exercise, discipline and affection” method, overcoming hurdles with dogs that are particularly skittish or aggressive to painstakingly rehabilitate each pup at his center and prepare them for adoption.

But, Millan’s biggest challenge may be training the families from the U.K., Italy and the Netherlands who are hoping to give the dogs a new lease on life. Three families from each country will travel to Spain for each episode to compete for the chance to adopt one special pup, and their dog skills will be put to the test. Millan will evaluate each potential adoptee through a series of assessments designed to gauge their canine compatibility — and identify any red flags — before choosing the dog’s best match.

“Cesar Millan’s unparalleled insight into the unique behavior of dogs — and their less-than-obedient humans — has sparked a worldwide phenomenon and transformed the way we understand man’s best friend. Leader of the Pack represents the next step in the evolution of Nat Geo Wild’s relationship with Cesar, and we are pleased to provide our audience with a new franchise from a Nat Geo face they love on a global scale,” said Daniels.

“Being part of NatGeo and Cesar Millan’s worldwide campaign to change the destiny of thousands of dogs and human beings is our privilege as well as our challenge. Cesar’s magnetic onscreen performance, as teacher and behaviorist, has captivated audiences around the world, and now in Leader of the Pack he will also act as a matchmaker creating lifelong love stories, nurtured by interspecies knowledge and highly emotional payoffs,” added Daniel Gutman, POWWOW’s CEO.

Renowned dog behaviour expert and New York Times best-selling author Millan is one of the most sought-after specialists working in the field of dog rehabilitation. With more than 20 years of experience working with canines, Millan has been called “a Dr. Phil for dogs,” and for good reason. He amazingly rehabilitates aggressive, scared, lazy, compulsive and jealous dogs, as well as the families who are usually in the dark about how their own behavior contributes to their dogs’ quirky traits.

“All dogs deserve a second chance; an opportunity to thrive in a stable and balanced environment,” said Millan. “Giving these dogs the ability to live a happy and healthy life with a new family is the greatest reward to working with canines, and I am thrilled to work with Nat Geo Wild on this global partnership.”

Leader of the Pack is produced or Nat Geo Wild by POWWOW Media Partners. For POWWOW, Marcela Campos and Leo Lavazza are series producers and Gregory Vanger Executive Producer. For Nat Geo Wild, Executive Producer is Jenny Apostol and Senior Vice President is Geoff Daniels.

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About Nat Geo Wild

Experience the best, most intimate encounters with wildlife ever seen on television. Backed by its unparalleled reputation for quality and blue-chip programming, Nat Geo Wild is dedicated to providing a unique insight into the natural world, the environment and the amazing creatures that inhabit it. From the most remote environments, to the forbidding depths of our oceans, to the protected parks on our doorsteps, Nat Geo Wild will use spectacular cinematography and compelling storytelling to take viewers on unforgettable journeys into the wild world. Launched in 2006, Nat Geo Wild is part of National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and is available in more than 90 countries and 100 million homes. Nat Geo Wild HD launched in the UK in March 2009, and is also available in Greece, Latin America, Poland, Spain and Russia. Further expansion is expected globally. For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com.

For media queries:

TACTIC PR Singapore
Viviane Then
T: +65 6325-8271
M: +65 9735-5318
E: viviane.then@tacticpr.com.sg

TACTIC PR Singapore
Diana Low
T: +65 6325-8264
M: +65 9877-6706
E: diana.low@tacticpr.com.sg

TACTIC PR Singapore
Alvin Yeo
T: +65 6325-8270
M: +65 9623-3432
E: alvin.yeo@tacticpr.com.sg

FOX International Channels
Allison De Cruz
T: +65 6325-8310
E: allison.decruz@fox.com

FOX International Channels
Poon ShingYi
T: +65 6325-3821
E: shingyi.poon@fox.com

National Geographic Partners with Nutopia for New Series

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IT IS, LIKE, TOTALLY TUBULAR.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL PARTNERS WITH NUTOPIA TO PRODUCE MINISERIES EVENT “THE 80’S: THE DECADE THAT MADE US”
New Series Greenlight Spotlights Pivotal 80s Moments, People and Innovations That Shaped Our History

March 26, 2012 − The birth of MTV, dawn of the personal computer, Nike, hip-hop, celebrity politics and Reaganomics. It’s hard to believe three decades have passed since the 1980s, a decade that forever changed and shaped America…and the world! Now, National Geographic Channel announces the start of production on The 80’s: The Decade That Made Us (working title), a miniseries event that will celebrate the people, the inventions and the decisions that changed our future, told from the perspective of unknowing history makers who lived these iconic moments.

The network is partnering with Nutopia, the critically acclaimed creator of megadocs including “America The Story of Us,” to produce this multi-part series scheduled to premiere on National Geographic Channels globally in 435 million homes in 173 countries and 37 languages. The announcement was made during the network’s Upfront meetings today by Howard T. Owens, president, National Geographic Channels, and Michael Cascio, executive vice president of programming.

“Many retrospectives have been done, but we’re going to look at this decade that defined us with a new lens as told through surprising and unexpected game changers and history makers,” said Owens. “This greenlight reflects National Geographic Channel’s commitment to partnering with renowned producers with proven track records to develop and showcase a wide range of creative content. I’m extremely excited to work with Jane Root and Nutopia as we continue to evolve the brand and produce groundbreaking, cinematic special events.”

In this landmark series, we’ll get back in touch with our inner Valley Girl by reliving classic 80s music, inspirational sports moments, and scenes from iconic movies and TV shows, as well as the very best (and worst) of hair and fashion. The decade included conspicuous consumption, sports super-celebs, the whole-food movement and the first female political leaders. It’s the history of our modern world, spawning a political, technological, cultural and social revolution that began in the United States and went on to dominate the world.

“It’s just like 80s’ superduo Cagney and Lacey—a perfect partnership!,” said Jane Root, executive producer, Nutopia. “This decade gave birth to the modern world, and this series will have remarkable new insight and surprising interviews with individuals, including unknowns, who unsuspectingly changed history.”

“This miniseries event is the perfect excuse to get physical and break out my parachute pants and leather Thriller jacket,” said Cascio. “Viewers craving nostalgia will get their fix, but we’re hoping they’ll walk away with a new appreciation for the decade that spawned Madonna, the Rubik’s cube, the

Walkman, Reaganomics—and the pop culture list goes on.”

The 80’s: The Decade That Made Us is produced by Nutopia for the National Geographic Channel. Jane Root and Bruce Hepton will executive produce the series. For National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Lynn Sadofsky; vice president of production is Kim Woodard; executive vice president of programming is Michael Cascio.

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For media enquiries:

TACTIC PR Singapore / Viviane Then / T: +65 6325-8271 / M: +65 9735-5318 / E: viviane.then@tacticpr.com.sg
TACTIC PR Singapore / Diana Low / T: +65 6325-8264 / M: +65 9877-6706 / E: diana.low@tacticpr.com.sg 
TACTIC PR Singapore / Alvin Yeo / T: +65 6325-8270 / M: +65 9623-3432 / E: alvin.yeo@tacticpr.com.sg 

FOX International Channels / Allison De Cruz / T: +65 6325-8310 / E: allison.decruz@fox.com
FOX International Channels / Poon ShingYi  / T: +65 6325-3821 / E: shingyi.poon@fox.com

Al Jazeera English wins prestigious Peabody Award

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Al Jazeera English wins prestigious Peabody Award for “thorough, enterprising and brave” reporting

  • Global channel picks up the Peabody award only a few weeks after being named News Channel of the Year.

New York, USA | 04 April, 2012 – Al Jazeera English was today named as one of the recipients of the 71st Annual Peabody Awards for the channel’s ground-breaking coverage of the Arab Awakening.

Commenting on Al Jazeera English’s triumph, the Peabody judges said: “From December 2010, when protests erupted in Tunisia, through 2001, Al Jazeera was a network of record for millions of viewers throughout the world. On-the-ground reporting was thorough, enterprising and brave.”

The Peabody Awards recognizes the most outstanding achievements in the media industry, and is determined by one criterion – excellence. Each entry is evaluated on the achievement of standards it establishes within its own contexts, with the overall award being presented only to “the best of the best”.

“We are delighted to receive yet another prestigious and coveted award,” said Al Anstey, Managing Director of Al Jazeera English. “This has been a dramatic and historic year across the Arab world, and Al Jazeera English was there to capture every moment and tell the full story of events on the ground. We are very pleased to be recognized for the great work of our teams who covered the stories, and look forward to continuing to provide global, in-depth coverage to our growing audiences in the United States and across the world.”

The Peabody Award follows a number of recent high-profile awards wins for Al Jazeera English. In February, the channel was named News Channel of the Year at the Royal Television Society Awards, fending off competition from Sky News and BBC News.

Al Jazeera English’s multi-award winning documentary “Shouting in the Dark” recently won the 2012 George Polk Award for Best Television Documentary, and the channel’s flagship U.S. current affairs show Fault Lines also received the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for “Haiti: Six Months On”. Al Jazeera English also received the Columbia Journalism Award in recognition of the channel’s overall depth and quality of its coverage of the ongoing developments in the Middle East.

Cable Thai Holding’s Wichai pledges turnaround

April 5, 2012 – Wichai Thongtang, a veteran investor, vows a turnaround of Cable Thai Holding (CTH), his latest venture, in 3-5 years despite heavy investment plans during the period.

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source:nationmultimedia.com

“The local cable TV business is promising, particularly driven by a larger customer base following the Asean Economic Community in 2015,” said the former lawyer.

“I’m fascinated by CTH’s business model…how it spans the country and was set up by many local cable operators, a rare phenomenon in business.”

CTH was founded by 300 local cable TV operators in 2009, mainly as a platform to provide quality content and share the costs of importing international programmes among shareholders.

To view the complete article, please visit http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/telecom/287514/wichai-pledges-turnaround