Comcast, Fox Cable, NBC Universal, Showtime, Turner Join IP-PRIME, Boost the Growing IPTV Lineup over 350 Channels.

PRINCETON, N.J. -- On the verge of its nationwide commercial IPTV launch, SES AMERICOM, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges: SESG), today announced that Comcast Networks, Fox Cable Networks, NBC Universal, Showtime Networks, and Turner Broadcasting System, representing some of the world's best and most watched television, have joined the IP-PRIME[R] IPTV digital dial, which now features more than 350 channels.

Comcast Networks, Fox Cable, NBC Universal, Showtime Networks and Turner have signed IP-PRIME transport agreements, enabling SES AMERICOM to process their popular programming for IPTV distribution over its AMC-9 satellite to authorized video hubs and consumers' IPTV set top boxes.

IP-PRIME will offer seven Comcast channels, including E! Entertainment, Versus, Style, AZN, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, and The Golf Channel; ten Fox Cable Networks channels, including FX, Fox Sports en EspaSol, National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Channel HD, SPEED, FUEL TV, and Fox Movie Channel; thirteen NBC Universal channels, including CNBC, Bravo, USA Network, SCI FI Channel, Telemundo, Universal HD, Chiller, and Sleuth; thirteen Showtime channels, including FLIX[R], SHOWTIME[R], THE MOVIE CHANNEL[TM], SHOWTIME WOMEN[R], SHOWTIME HD[R], SHOWTIME BEYOND[R], THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD[TM], and SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE[R]; and ten Turner channels, including CNN, TNT, Cartoon Network, Court TV, TCM, TBS, CNN International, Headline News, and Boomerang.

IP-PRIME now has transport agreements with more than 40 leading programmers, an impressive group which also includes IP-PRIME newcomers Anime Network, CSTV (College Sports Television), HDNet and HDNet Movies, International Networks, and RFD Media. Some of the cornerstone IP-PRIME programmers already announced include A&E Television Networks, Fox News Channel, Hallmark Channels, Lifetime Networks, MTV Networks, Oxygen, Scripps Networks, SiTV, Starz Channels, and The Weather Channel.

"The exciting and expanding IP-PRIME programming lineup, which now features 350 channels, is ready for primetime distribution to IPTV consumers across the country," said Bill Squadron, senior vice president of media partnerships for SES AMERICOM. "SES AMERICOM is very close to the historic commercial launch of IP-PRIME, we have field trials underway and in the works with Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 telcos, and a growing number in the queue anxious to offer top-notch television to their customers."

"We have an extraordinary partnership with SES AMERICOM and with the launch of IP-PRIME we can now reach out securely and effectively to IPTV viewers across the country who will be able to access their favorite NBCU programs," commented Henry Ahn, executive vice president, NBC Universal TV Networks Distribution.

"Showtime Networks is excited about the ability of SES AMERICOM to securely and reliably deliver all of our networks to the telcos with video initiatives, using enabling technologies such as MPEG4," said Michael Tas, Senior Vice President, Distribution and Sales Strategy for Showtime Networks. "SES AMERICOM has been a proven partner of Showtime Networks for decades now and we look forward to extending the relationship well into the future."

"We are sensitive to the costs of getting into the distribution business and are happy IP-PRIME is in place to fill the technology gap for small operators," said Karen Byko, executive vice president of operations for Turner Network Sales.

"Consumers want alternatives in how they spend their entertainment dollars," said Mike Biard, Senior Vice President, Affiliate Sales, Fox Cable Networks. "IP-PRIME will deliver Fox's networks securely to a new generation of distributors, and we are delighted to be working with SES AMERICOM to do so."

"We're excited to be a part of SES AMERICOM's new IP-PRIME programming lineup," said Mark Cuban, chairman and co-founder, HDNet. "By including HDNet and HDNet Movies, SES AMERICOM is making sure IPTV viewers receive the highest quality HD programming, including our acclaimed movies, original programming, investigative news, popular series and sports."

About IP-PRIME

The fully-managed IP-PRIME solution brings together the world's leading IPTV components and technology partners--including Cisco, Globecomm, Harmonic, Amino, NDS, International Data Corporation, Scientific-Atlanta and Siemens--creating an end-to-end service with encoding, middleware, scrambling/descrambling, content protection, satellite receivers, conditional access, next generation network innovations, set top boxes, service management and integration services. IP-PRIME content originates from the IP-PRIME IPTV Broadcast Center based in Vernon Valley, New Jersey, where video and audio programming is received, prepared, and securely delivered via AMC-9 to authorized users.

More than 40 television programmers and networks representing over 350 channels have signed IP-PRIME transport agreements to date, marking the programming community's overwhelming approval of the secure IPTV service. Currently providing beta trial service to telcos of all sizes throughout the country, IP-PRIME is set for commercial deployment this year. The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), which supports rural utilities offering services to millions of U.S. households, is in the advanced stages of end-to-end IP-PRIME field trials in four states.

About AMC-9

IP-PRIME is delivered via SES AMERICOM's AMC-9 satellite, which is ideally suited for delivering critical services with its high power C-Band payload and high service availability across the US. SES AMERICOM's industry-leading record of reliability enables the innovator to provide the carrier-class service that telcos expect. AMC-9 is one of 36 satellites in the SES fleet.

About SES AMERICOM

The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM is recognized as a leading innovator of global satellite communications services. The company today operates a fleet of 15 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES family, SES AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region of the world via a fleet of more than 36 satellites. In addition, AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary, is dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communication and content distribution solutions.