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Â鶹Éç Worldwide Channels has today announced a significant new distribution deal in Australia, which will see the launch of three Â鶹Éç branded channels on AUSTAR, Australia's regional subscription television platform, this November.

From November 15, AUSTAR subscribers will have access to CBeebies, the channel for pre-school children, and Â鶹Éç Knowledge, offering the best of the Â鶹Éç's factual and documentary programming, as well as new offering UKTV HD, showcasing world class drama, comedy and entertainment in the vividness of HD.

The three channels will join UKTV and Â鶹Éç World News which are already available on AUSTAR, bringing the full range of the Â鶹Éç's exceptional programming to all Australian subscription television homes for the first time.

The expanded distribution comes just one year after the launch of CBeebies and Â鶹Éç Knowledge on FOXTEL, Australia's leading subscription TV provider. Both channels will now be available to an additional 728,000 customers, further consolidating the position of the Â鶹Éç Worldwide Channels portfolio in the market.

In addition, UKTV HD will roll-out on FOXTEL on November 15, replacing Â鶹Éç HD.

Darren Childs, Managing Director, Â鶹Éç Worldwide Channels, said: "We're delighted to be expanding our distribution through this deal with AUSTAR. Australia is a hugely important market for Â鶹Éç Worldwide and this deal builds on our acquisition of UKTV last year, as well as the launch of Â鶹Éç Knowledge and CBeebies on FOXTEL. Our channels are already the number two international portfolio in subscription TV homes, and now viewers across Australia will be able to enjoy the quality and breadth of the Â鶹Éç's award-winning content."

Deanne Weir, Group Director, Corporate Development, AUSTAR, said: "We're thrilled to be adding the world-renowned Â鶹Éç Knowledge and CBeebies to our channel line up. Â鶹Éç Knowledge's fantastic range of 'inquisitive' programming will be welcomed by our regional documentary lovers. Meanwhile, families in regional areas will be excited about the addition of CBeebies and its award-winning content to our great range of children's programming. These two channels will be a great value-add for our customers.

"I'm extremely pleased that regional Australians will now have access to the full portfolio of Channels that encapsulate the quality, breadth and depth of Â鶹Éç programming. The next year will be critical in furthering the local relevance of all our channels in the competitive STV market," said Tony Iffland, General Manager, Â鶹Éç Worldwide Channels Australasia.

Since launching in November 2008, Â鶹Éç Knowledge and CBeebies have developed a loyal following among Australian audiences and both channels have developed local programming and initiatives to engage viewers. Â鶹Éç Knowledge debuted its inaugural locally commissioned documentary One Small Step: The Australian Story in July, commemorating Australia’s involvement in the Apollo 11 mission, while CBeebies has established a Children’s Advisory Council, providing a local platform where regulatory, programming and content issues are discussed and debated by esteemed media and educational professionals.

NOTES TO EDITORS
Austar United Communications (AUSTAR)
AUSTAR (Australian Stock Exchange "AUN") is a leading provider of subscription television services in regional and rural Australia, with more than 720,000 customers enjoying principally satellite digital television services. Internet and mobile telephony services complete AUSTAR’s product offering. AUSTAR is also a significant provider of programming in the Australian television market through its 50% owned joint venture, XYZnetworks, which owns and/or distributes Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Discovery Channel, Channel [V], Channel [V]2, MAX, Arena, The Lifestyle Channel, Lifestyle Food, CountryMusic Channel and The Weather Channel. Liberty Global Inc., the largest international broadband cable operator in terms of subscribers, holds an indirect controlling stake in AUSTAR.

Linda Deubel

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