NBCU Continues Global Expansion for Channel Brands

SINGAPORE/MOSCOW, May 28:
NBC Universal’s Global Networks division is extending the reach of its SCI FI
and Universal Channel brands, with both networks slated to launch in Russia and
Singapore.

Both channels will debut
on the NTV Plus digital platform in Russia this week, with Universal Channel
launching tomorrow and SCI FI on Friday, May 30. At launch, the Russian feed of
SCI FI will feature two science-fiction blockbuster movies from Stephen Spielberg:
Jurassic Park and E.T.: The
Extra-Terrestrial. Also featured
on SCI FI is the Russian premiere of the BBC drama Torchwood, the classic BBC franchise Doctor Who, Battlestar Galactica from SCI FI in the U.S. and Quantum Leap.

Universal Channel launches
in Russia with a host of movies such as Out of Sight (starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez) and Sudden
Death (starring Jean-Claude Van
Damme). The channel will also premiere the series Psych and Dalziel & Pascoe. Additionally, the lineup includes a full range of
Universal blockbusters and classics from Alfred Hitchcock to Clint Eastwood.

The fully localized
channels will be managed by Colin McLeod, the managing director of Central and
Eastern Europe at NBC Universal Global Networks. NBCU Global Networks also
announced its new Moscow-based management team to drive the expansion plan in
Russia. The Moscow operations will be headed by Salikhat Magadova, who has been
appointed as the channel director at NBCU Global Networks Russia, reporting to
McLeod. Magadova will be supported by the newly appointed marketing manager in
Russia, Alla Prokhorova. Under McLeod’s leadership, Magadova and Prokhorova
will work closely with the London-based Central and Eastern Europe team in
driving the business in Russia.

Meanwhile, the third SCI
FI channel in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the first Universal Channel,
will debut on Singapore’s StarHub Digital Cable in July. The channels will be
made available with Chinese subtitling and will offer viewers local interstitials
and programming. The Singaporean carriage agreement is the first in a series of
deals across the Asia-Pacific region that will be announced by NBCU over the
coming weeks.

Asian viewers will have
access to a number of regional premieres on Universal Channel, such as the
latest season of Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Murdoch Mysteries, Wire in the Blood, Quarterlife, Greek, season four
of The Office, American
Gladiators, JPOD and Cane.

SCI FI will be premiering
a number of first-run series in Asia at launch, including Heroes Unmasked, Dead Like Me and the third seasons of Medium and Dead Zone.
Staples like Battlestar Galactica,
Star Trek and Eureka, as well as original movies and series, will be on
SCI FI’s lineup as well. Content is drawn from a range of distributors,
including NBC Universal, CBS Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox, Broadmedia
Studios Corporation and others.

This announcement follows
the launch of SCI FI in Japan on April 1 this year. The first SCI FI channel in
the Asia-Pacific region debuted in Australia on December 1, 2006, as part of
the TV1 General Entertainment Partnership with Sony and CBS Paramount. There
are now three Hallmark Channels, three SCI FI channels and one Universal
Channel in the Asia-Pacific region.

"We're thrilled to be
establishing SCI FI and Universal Channel in Asia, which is a key growth market
for us,” said Roma Khanna, the president of NBC Universal Global Networks and
Digital Initiatives. “These launches represent a significant step in reaching
even wider audiences in Asia with our strong brands. These strategic moves
underscore the expansion plans of NBC Universal Global Networks and the global
appeal and popularity of our channel brands."

Raymund Miranda, the
managing director of NBC Universal Global Networks Asia Pacific, added, “We
have an amazing portfolio of diverse channel brands that we plan to roll out in
the Asia-Pacific region. Our commitment to quality entertainment for Asia
Pacific audiences is evidenced by our recent record of investments and launches
over the past few months. StarHub is an excellent partner to kick off the Asia
feeds for these exciting channels.”

—By Irene Lew