Sky Launches China's 24-Hour English News: CCTV-9

Media Release: 12 AUGUST 2005

Sky Launches China's 24-Hour English Language News Channel, CCTV-9

Today at 5pm, the Hon. Steve Maharey, Minister for Broadcasting and Mr Wang Taihuna, Minister of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), People's Republic of China, launched SKY Television's newest channel, China Central Television's 24-hour English language news channel, CCTV-9.

CCTV-9 has established itself as China's premier round the clock English news service, providing in-depth news, expert analysis and current affairs programming. The channel is available on Channel 93 to all SKY Digital customers, as well as SKY's WTV customers who already access CCTV-4.

The launch was attended by a number of dignitaries including Labour's Minister for Ethnic Affairs, the Hon. Chris Carter, National's Spokesperson for Broadcasting, Ms Georgina Te Heu Heu, and Spokesperson for Asian Relationships, Ms Pansy Wong, as well as His Excellency Mr Chen Mingming, Ambassador and Mr Ma Chongren, Consul-General, Auckland Region, from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China.

The visiting Chinese delegation included Mr Ma Xuming, Director General of SARFT, Mr Tao Shiming, Deputy Director-General of SARFT, Mr Zhang, Changming , Vice President of China Central Television, Mr Li Ting, Deputy Director, TV Drama Production Centre, China Central Television, Ms Xue Ling, Director, European, North American and Oceania Affairs Division, Foreign Affairs Department , SARFT.

John Fellet, SKY Television CEO, says, "SKY Television is New Zealand's premier pay TV operation, offering an extensive variety of interesting and locally relevant content. We always seek to add value by developing a greater choice of quality content to meet the needs of our diverse customer base. We are extremely pleased about the partnership with China Central Television and are excited about the addition of CCTV-9 which will give New Zealanders a Chinese perspective on events in China and around the world."

Vice President of China Central Television, Zhang Changming, says CCTV is pleased to partner with New Zealand's largest pay-TV platform, SKY TV. "After years of successful operations, SKY TV boasts more than 600, 000 subscribers, nearly a half of New Zealand families, which is also a rare accomplishment among pay-TV service providers all over the world. We hope that, with the advantage of the wide coverage and influence of the Sky TV platform, CCTV-4 and CCTV-9 will reach more and more families in New Zealand and win wider recognition," he says.

Pricing details as follows: SKY Television Start Up Package $44.60 per month.

ENDS

About CCTV International

CCTV International (CCTV-9) is the English language 24-hour news channel of China Central Television. Launched on September 25 2000 with a team of professional from all over the world, CCTV International is dedicated to reporting news and information to a global audience with a special focus on China.

CCTV International covers the entire globe via six satellites. Its programmes can now be seen by 40 million subscribers outside China. Since May 2004 CCTV International has been increasing its coverage of world events. News, in-depth reports, expert analysis and features provide diversity in the information on offer. CCTV International offers a Chinese perspective on international and national events.

About SKY Television

SKY Television (SKY), broadcasting via both UHF and DTH is New Zealand's pre-eminent Pay TV operator, offering a wide range of sports, movies, music, on-demand and general content across more than 80 channels. SKY's channel line-up includes 6 sports channels, 5 movie channels, 5 general entertainment channels, 4 documentary channels, 3 news channels, 3 kids channels, as well as other niche channels. (At end-December 2004, SKY had 590,777 subscribers.)

SKY launched as a three-channel UHF service in 1990, with two further channels added four years later. SKY's UHF signal reaches more than 83% of the country's 1.5 million households. In December 1998 it launched a digital satellite service, extending its reach to the whole country. SKY also offers pay-per-view movies, live events and interactive services including Skybet, the Weather Channel, and games channel Playin' TV.

With the establishment of a new on line DVD rental service and soon, a new set top box incorporating a personal video recorder, SKY is positioned to bring New Zealand viewers even more entertainment options.

For further information, please visit SKY's web site at www.skytv.co.nz

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