26 August 2008

Education genre fans to enjoy more value with new HD group

Singapore, 26 August 2008 – Come 1 September 2008, StarHub will be the first pay TV operator in Southeast Asia to carry The History Channel HD™ (History HD). The History Channel HD, presently available in United Kingdom, USA, Scandinavia, the Benelux and Central Europe, will be offered on StarHub Digital Cable via Channel 303.

With the addition of History HD, StarHub will carry a total of five High Definition (HD) channels on its pay TV platform. The other four HD channels available on StarHub Digital Cable are HD5 (Channel 300), NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL HD (Channel 301), Discovery HD (Channel 302) and Sports HD (Channel 304).

History HD is the leading destination for revealing, award-winning, original non-fiction series and event-driven specials that connects history with viewers in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. Programming covers a diverse variety of historical genres ranging from military history to contemporary history, technology to natural history, as well as science, archaeology and pop culture. History HD will broadcast 100 percent HD content and offer viewers informative and entertaining series, specials and documentaries, including Ax Men, Cities of the Underworld, The Universe, Dogfights, Ancient Discoveries, and Ice Road Truckers.

"StarHub is pleased to be the first pay TV operator to introduce The History Channel HD in Southeast Asia. The addition of History HD on our pay TV line-up has provided another quality choice of HD content for our StarHub Digital Cable customers. I believe viewers, especially great fans of The History Channel, will be glad to know that they can now choose to watch their favourite programmes in high definition," said Patrick Lim, StarHub's Head of Cable TV Services.

AETN All Asia Networks General Manager Louis Boswell said, "The reaction and feedback to The History Channel since it launched last year across the region has been amazing, so I am very happy that we are now able to give our viewers the opportunity to watch the channel in its full glory in crystal clear HD. Once again it underlines our commitment to become the leader in factual entertainment programming. We are thrilled to work with StarHub as our platform partner to kick off this exciting channel in Asia."

The present HD Plus group, comprising NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL HD and Discovery HD, will be joined by The History Channel HD and repackaged into Education HD group. StarHub Digital Cable customers with StarHub’s HD set-top box and the Education Basic group can subscribe to the new Education HD group for just $8.56 (with GST) per month. As HD Plus is now priced at a monthly subscription fee of $16.05 (with GST), customers can now enjoy three HD channels for just half the original price!

Mr Lim added, "Education is one of the most popular genres among StarHub Digital customers, so we have decided to package the three HD education channels together and offer them as an upgrade for Education Basic group customers. In this way, not only can they enjoy more of their favourite genre, they can also enjoy substantial cost savings at the same time."

Other than introducing Education HD which offers greater value-for-money, StarHub will offer another option to make HD channels even more affordable for local viewers. With immediate effect, customers can rent their first HD set-top boxes at a monthly rental fee of $6.42 (with GST). Previously, customers had to purchase a HD set-top box in order to enjoy the HD channels. The monthly rental fee of $6.42 is waived from now till 30 September 2008.

Existing StarHub Digital Cable customers who have subscribed to HD Plus group will be upgraded to Education HD group and Education Basic group* from their September billing cycle. Education Basic group customers with HD set-top boxes who wish to add on Education HD group can upgrade, while new StarHub Digital Cable customers can call 1630 to sign up for a subscription package.

*Only applicable for StarHub Digital Cable customers without Education Basic group.