NBC Universal Unveils Worldwide Channel Expansion Plans

LONDON, April 4: NBC Universal is planning to launch 20
localized channels in 23 markets across Europe, Asia and Latin America in order
to double the revenues of its global networks division over the next two to
three years, it was announced today by Peter Smith, the president of NBC
Universal International, beginning with the rollout of SCI FI and 13th
Street in the Netherlands.

SCI FI and 13th Street will initially debut on
the UPC platform in the Netherlands and Flemish-speaking Belgium in the second
quarter of this year with wider distribution expected throughout the rest of
the Benelux region by the end of 2007. NBC Universal Global Networks has signed
an exclusive deal with UPC sister company Chellomedia to represent its
interests in the Benelux region. Oversight of the two Dutch channels will be
handled by Nick Betts, the managing director of NBC Universal Global Networks
Northern Europe.

“We’ve long had our eye on the Dutch market so we’re thrilled
to be bringing two of our most dynamic thematic brands to this vibrant new
territory,” Betts said. “SCI FI and 13th Street are unique
entertainment channels because they are dedicated to specific genres; genres
that have universal appeal, so we’re confident that viewers in the Netherlands
are going to be excited about what’s coming their way.”

Both channels are currently available in Belgium, Spain and
Germany, and SCI FI is also carried in the U.K., Australia and Latin America.
NBC Universal, as part of the initiative announced today, is looking to further
drive the distribution of those two networks, as well as Universal Channel, in
new markets like Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, and in Western Europe and
Latin America. The target markets for the company are Portugal, the Czech
Republic, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Russia and India.

NBC Universal currently has 12 local versions of its
entertainment channels in 35 countries. The goal is to reach 32 channels in 58
countries. The move is in line with the pledge made by Jeff Zucker, NBC
Universal’s new president and CEO, to make international growth a priority. The
company’s international revenues hit almost $3 billion last year. “We promised
that international growth would be one of our key areas of focus and this first
step underlines our determination to grow our business throughout the world,”
Zucker said.

Smith noted: “We have set an ambitious growth plan for the
company that will boost the international visibility of our television channels
and other businesses, accelerating the global presence of NBC Universal as a
whole. International pay TV markets are offering opportunities for strong,
focused pay channel brands. We have the experience and resource to begin a
targeted launch program in priority markets, including wider distribution and
more local production in the countries where we operate. We look to markets
with growing digital subscriber bases, emerging pay television consumption, new
platforms and new technologies.”