01 September 2011

SINGAPORE, 1 September 2011 – Local viewers will continue to enjoy some of their favourite pay TV content, thanks to the announcement of a multi-year renewal deal between StarHub and Fox International Channels (FIC).

FIC, Asia’s leading pay TV network, currently provides more than 30 channels and services to Singapore’s leading pay TV operator – StarHub, across multiple genres including Hollywood Movies, US General Entertainment & US Series, Factual Entertainment, International News, Music, Chinese Entertainment, as well as some of India's leading entertainment channels. Some of the key brands and channels in the mix include STAR Movies, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild, STAR World, FOX, FX, FOX Family Movies, Channel [V] International, Channel [V] Taiwan, Channel [V] China, STAR Chinese Movies, STAR Vijay, STAR Plus, tvN, Phoenix Chinese Channel and Sky News. In addition, eight channels of the strong FIC High-Definition (HD) channel bouquet are an integral part of StarHub's HD offerings to viewers in Singapore.

“We are delighted to continue our long standing partnership with FIC - a network that offers so much choice, quality programming and iconic channel brands geared towards the Singapore viewers’ entertainment taste and needs. We are confident and committed to bringing a best in class, enhanced TV viewing experience to every Singapore home and our renewal with FIC is another testimony of that commitment,” said Mr. Neil Montefiore, Chief Executive Officer, StarHub.

“We've had a fantastic working relationship with StarHub in the past; our collective journey has seen many milestones in delivering quality content to our viewers in Singapore. This continuation of our collaboration with StarHub supports our efforts in providing compelling and entertaining content that resonates with Singaporean audiences - with more choice, more localisation and language dubbing and enhanced services,” said Mr. Ward Platt, President, Asia Pacific and Middle East, Fox International Channels.

The non-exclusive deal also marks the first major renewal for carriage of channels and services in Singapore under the new media market conduct code as set out by the Media Development Authority, Singapore.

“The recent changes to the Media Market Conduct Code seek to further enhance competition in the media market so as to promote the interest of consumers and the pay-TV industry as a whole. Since the introduction of MDA’s cross-carriage measure on 12 March 2010, MDA notes that a number of non-exclusive content deals have been concluded, resulting in more common channels being offered by pay TV retailers. Apart from cross- carriage of exclusive content, non-exclusive content deals present another means for a greater variety of content to be made available to consumers. StarHub's viewers can look forward to enjoying great content and entertainment from Fox International Channels,” said Mr. Aubeck Kam, Chief Executive Officer, Media Development Authority of Singapore.

“While industry watchers have been waiting to see how the new cross carriage regime will pan out for local pay TV operators, StarHub will continue to focus on securing good quality content and developing long-lasting relationships with our content partners. With the FIC deal in place for the next few years, our customers can look forward to the widest range of content, enhanced TV experience and greater value from StarHub, they can be assured of it being delivered over the best quality network and supported by a dedicated customer service team,” added Mr. Montefiore.

As part of the renewal deal, to provide localised content that is relevant to viewers in Singapore, Malay and Tamil language tracks will be made available to viewers of Nat Geo Wild from today. These language tracks are in addition to the currently available English and Mandarin audio, hence making Nat Geo Wild the first channel in Singapore available in all four official languages in the country.

FIC and StarHub will continue to work together to further enhance local viewing experience with the launch of more new HD channels and multiple language tracks to cater to key target segments. Both parties also agreed to explore innovative packaging that will add greater value for the operator’s customers such as SVOD channels and themed packages.