Comcast, Fox Cable, NBC Universal, Showtime, Turner Join IP-PRIME

[BGonaSTICK]

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® 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 Español, 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®, SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME HD®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD®, and SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE®; 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.”