GAME.TV TO LAUNCH ON ASTRA

IBC contracts analogue and digital ASTRA transponder capacity for the pan-European free-to-air transmission of Game.TV

IBC (Internet & Broadcasting Company AG) of Liechtenstein has contracted an analogue transponder on ASTRA 19.2° East for the pan-European free-to-air transmission of Game TV. "This is an important step for Game.TV: the free-to-air analogue launch on ASTRA provides us with instant access to 28 million European DTH-households", underlines Rainer Hastrich, Vice President and CEO of IBC.

IBC operates Game.TV, a thematic TV channel offering interactive games, as well as an Internet-based game-platform. Game.TV's unique programme offer, which IBC intends to use to position itself as the future Number One in TV- and Internet-based game show provision, is focused on family entertainment and interactive applications, allowing viewers to participate live in game shows and quizzes via telephone or Internet connections.

With the analogue ASTRA distribution Game.TV will be able to reach 28 million households across Europe, including 34% of all German-speaking households. In addition, the analogue ASTRA feed will be complemented by a simulcast digital version, allowing not only for DTH reception on small ASTRA dishes but also for Europe-wide cable redistribution of the channel. The launch of Game.TV on ASTRA is scheduled for the second Quarter, 2001.

"With both analogue and digital ASTRA distribution, IBC is on track for the future. We will be able to reach millions of households in analogue and at the same time position ourselves for the digital future, which will comprise streaming media and other new applications such as feeds into future UMTS networks. The ASTRA launch is an important step towards our goal of becoming the Number One in the provision of interactive games", states Rainer Hastrich.

Yves Elsen, Commercial and Marketing Director of SES, welcomes IBC on ASTRA: "Game.TV on ASTRA further enhances the free-to-air line-up on Europe's leading DTH satellite system. We wish Game.TV every success and millions of ASTRA viewers a lot of fun with this new interactive offer."

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