Stew,
Here's a copy of the article that initiated my question.
Press Release Source: NDS Group plc
NDS Gains Leadership Position in Asia Pacific with Two Million Active Pay-TV Subscribers
Wednesday September 24, 9:00 pm ET
HONG KONG, SAR--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2003--NDS (NASDAQ:NNDS - News; NASDAQ Europe:NNDS):
Highlights:
New platform wins with pay-TV operators in China, India, Australia and Hong Kong in 2003 push NDS subscriber base over two million mark in Asia Pacific.
NDS iTV and EPG applications in traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Korean and English language become a key differentiator in Asia Pacific.
Powered by NDS Certification Partners Program now includes 13 Asian set-top box manufacturers that have completed integration of NDS systems.
Asia Pacific region forecast to continue to drive revenue growth of NDS global operations.
NDS, a News Corporation company and leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, has reached a significant milestone in the Asia Pacific pay-TV market with two million active subscribers using NDS conditional access systems. This achievement makes NDS a leading conditional access provider in the Asia Pacific region.
Ms. Sue Taylor, Vice President and General Manager of NDS Asia Pacific said, "Our technology excellence and expanded local expertise and customer service in Asia Pacific have contributed to our new business wins this year. NDS Asia Pacific is focused on delivering the best solutions and support to our local customers, and we strive to help them achieve ongoing success and revenue growth."
Already in 2003, NDS has been selected by several pay-TV broadcasters to provide NDS end-to-end digital systems. These include Chongqing Cable TV (China), Guizhou Cable TV (China), FOXTEL (Australia), Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Systems (Hong Kong SAR), and Hathway Cable & Datacom (India).
SkyLife (Korea), also using NDS technologies, grew to become one of the largest broadcasters in the Asia Pacific region. From launch in March 2002, SkyLife is one of the fastest growing deployments worldwide, now broadcasting to over 800,000 subscribers.
NDS has developed customized electronic program guides for all Asia Pacific customers announced this year. Other NDS interactive services such as iTV games, sports and gambling applications will be launched on these platforms also.
FOXTEL selected NDS as prime systems integrator and provider of key digital technology solutions for the launch of digital TV services in early 2004. NDS technology will deliver secure subscription broadcasts and enable exciting interactive TV services.
Broadcasters selecting NDS solutions are able to choose from a wide variety of Asia Pacific set-top box vendors, models, prices, features and delivery dates. The "Powered by NDS" Certification Partners program has seen considerable success since launch in 2000. It enables set-top box manufacturers to quickly and seamlessly integrate NDS VideoGuard conditional access and NDS Core middleware with their set-top boxes and integrated circuits. The benefit for Asian pay-TV operators is that they can choose from a wider variety of set-top box models and features to meet their individual needs, reducing both time to market and cost.
The NDS set-top box and integration facility in Seoul has seen the most significant increase in demand, and has completed integrations with Em Tech, Global Tech, Hyundai Digital Technologies, Humax, LG Electronics, and Samsung.
According to NDS financial results issued last month, the business won by NDS during 2003 provided a series of contracts that are expected to contribute to revenues in fiscal 2004.
"Asia Pacific proved to be a continuing growth area for NDS and our operations in this region are now very busy working to deliver on our contract wins," said Ms. Taylor. "We are committed to supporting current and new customers to grow their subscriber base by providing new applications and services, which makes reaching two million subscribers a significant milestone for us."
About NDS
NDS Group plc (NASDAQ/NASDAQ Europe:NNDS) is a leading supplier of open end-to-end digital pay TV solutions for the secure delivery of entertainment and information to television set-top boxes and IP devices. See www.nds.com for more information about NDS.
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Contact:
NDS Asia Pacific Ltd
Diane Powers, Director Marketing & Corp. Comm.
+852 2201 9151
dpowers@ndsuk.com
or
NDS Group plc
Margot Field, Director, Public Relations
+44 208 476 8158
mfield@ndsuk.com
www.nds.com |
