The MGM Channel's Asian Expansion Continues With UBC Launch in Thailand

The MGM Channel's Asian Expansion Continues With UBC Launch in Thailand

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Further accelerating its presence throughout Asia, MGM Networks, a unit of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE:MGM), has launched The MGM Channel to subscribers in Thailand via the country's largest cable and satellite provider, UBC.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011119/MGMLOGO)

"In just over a year, we have seen tremendous growth throughout Asia," said MGM Networks' Executive Vice President Bruce Tuchman. "The MGM Channel has quickly achieved the status of 'must-have' channel for cable and satellite operators throughout the region. Through UBC, we will bring the MGM Channel directly to consumers across this key and growing market. We anticipate a very warm reception from Thai viewers."

The MGM Channel became available this month as part of UBC's Silver and Platinum Packages. MGM and UBC also plan to introduce Thai subtitling to the channel in the near future.

"This is a superb opportunity for UBC to add value to its silver and platinum packages with MGM Channel Asia's content of well-loved films," said Alexander Brown, president & CEO, CNBC Asia Pacific. "For us, this deal signifies a positive move towards the Southeast Asia and Greater China markets."

The agreement with UBC is the most recent in a lengthy series of distribution deals forged by MGM Networks across Asia over the past year. Among other Asian operations, MGM Networks has a strategic alliance in the Greater China and Southeast Asia market with CNBC Asia Pacific, which assists MGM in the operation and distribution of a dedicated MGM channel in the region. The UBC deal will be part of this regional alliance. It follows announcements of the MGM Channel's launch in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia.

"UBC is committed to providing the best-quality programs to widen knowledge of the world and bring entertainment variety to our customers," said UBC's Director of Marketing and Sales Ong-ard Prapakamol. "The MGM Channel is an outstanding addition to our new package offerings. We are confident that Thai viewers will be entertained by the variety of movies available on the MGM Channel."

Separately, MGM Networks holds interests in MGM-branded and other channels reaching scores of countries and territories worldwide. In the Asia-Pacific region, these interests include two branded channels in Korea and one in New Zealand. In addition, branded MGM Channels reach millions of subscribers across Europe, Latin America and Africa. Among MGM Networks' latest channel launches are The MGM Channel in Spain, which premiered in summer 2004, and a Russian-language version of The MGM Channel that debuted in Russia last fall.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE:MGM), through its Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. subsidiary, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising about 4,000 titles. Operating units include MGM Pictures, United Artists, MGM Television Entertainment, MGM Networks, MGM Distribution Co., MGM Worldwide Television Distribution, MGM Home Entertainment, MGM On Stage, MGM Consumer Products, MGM Music, MGM Interactive and MGM Direct. In addition, MGM has interests in international TV channels and branded-programming blocks that reach nearly 120 countries and territories around the world. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

About CNBC Asia Pacific

CNBC is the undisputed world leader in business news and information, providing viewers the world over with insight, analysis and real-time access to market data and indispensable business information.

Headquartered in Singapore, CNBC Asia Pacific is a business news and information service of NBC Universal and Dow Jones & Company. NBC Universal is the broadcasting unit of General Electric Company, one of the most successful companies in the world; Dow Jones, the publisher of The Wall Street Journal and its international and online editions, is a provider of vital world business and financial information.

CNBC Asia Pacific's channels, which include CNBC Asia, CNBC-TV18 (India), Nikkei-CNBC (Japan), MBN-CNBC (Korea), CNBC Australia, CNBC Singapore and CNBC Hong Kong, are available in more than 40 million homes across the Asia Pacific region. CNBC also has a strategic alliance with China Business Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Shanghai Media Group. The channels are distributed via satellite, cable and terrestrial broadcast networks. The website address is www.cnbcasia.com.

About UBC

United Broadcasting Corporation PCL (UBC) is Thailand's leading provider of pay TV service on dual platforms of digital satellite television and fiber optic cable to over 1.9 million viewers nationwide. UBC is committed to offering premium programs from around the globe via 42 premium channels, with excellence in customer service and exclusive privileges for members.

Contact:

Omar Gepiga, MGM Channel - Asia, +65-6326-1122, ogepiga@mgm.com.



Patricia Frith, Patricia Frith Marketing (for MGM Networks), +1 818 876-0480, pfmarketing@adelphia.net

David Bloom, MGM, +1-310-449-3660, dbloom@mgm.com

Tamrongsak Vongraksak, UBC Thailand, 662-615-9784, tamrongsakv@ubctv.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011119/MGMLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

CONTACT: Omar Gepiga of MGM Channel -- Asia, +65-6326-1122,
ogepiga@mgm.com; or Patricia Frith of Patricia Frith Marketing,
+1-818-876-0480, pfmarketing@adelphia.net, for MGM Networks; or David Bloom of
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., +1-310-449-3660, dbloom@mgm.com; or Tamrongsak
Vongraksak of UBC Thailand, +662-615-9784, tamrongsakv@ubctv.com

Web site: http://www.cnbcasia.com/

Web site: http://www.mgm.com/


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