ESPN to Launch HD Service in Australia

First ESPN-Branded High Definition Service Outside the U.S.

January 30, 2008 -- ESPN announces its first ESPN-branded high definition service outside the United States today, going down under to begin telecasting ESPN HD Australia later this year. One of four new HD channels added by FOXTEL in Australia, ESPN HD Australia will offer a diverse portfolio of major sporting events, as well as locally-relevant content such as SportsCenter and Pardon the Interruption Australia.

”The launch of ESPN HD Australia reinforces our commitment to provide fans worldwide the best quality sports programming,” said Russell Wolff, executive vice president and managing director, ESPN International. “ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD have been important drivers of HD growth in the U.S and continue to be among the most frequently watched HD services. We are pleased to be offering fans in Australia that same big picture experience.”

ESPN Australia in HD facts:

* One of the first HD services available in Australia, ESPN HD Australia is available on FOXTEL HD+;
* ESPN HD Australia’s program schedule will be created specifically for the Australian sport fan and will not simply be a simulcast of ESPN HD in the United States;
* ESPN HD Australia will be transmitted via undersea fiber optic cable, providing over 100 Mbps of signal bandwidth service;
* The fiber transmission path provides the ability to send and receive feeds from the region, as well as the future opportunity to provide additional regional program services.

About ESPN HD in the United States:

Currently, ESPN HD reaches more than15 million subscribers and is available to more than 93 million homes. ESPN2 HD reaches almost 12 million subscribers and is available to nearly 80 million homes.

In 2008, ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD will deliver more than 1,000 events in high definition including all of ESPN’s NASCAR coverage, NBA telecasts, MLS telecasts, MLB telecasts, college football telecasts, National Hot Rod Association races and coverage of NFL Monday Night Football. 100 percent of ESPN and ESPN2’s Bristol-based studio programming originates in high definition, including SportsCenter, NFL Countdown, NFL Monday Night Countdown, NFL Live, Monday Night Countdown, Baseball Tonight, Mike & Mike in the Morning and First Take. In addition to live sports programming, ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD produce individual programs, movies and series.

This year ESPN launches its third, fourth and fifth HD services: ESPNEWS HD (Mar. 30), ESPN Australia HD (Mid 2008) and ESPNU HD (Aug. 28).

Source: ESPN

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