Sony Pictures Television International's AXN Channel Begins Broadcasting New Action Channels to Central Europe Through Eutelsat W2 Satellite

Sony Pictures Television International's AXN Channel Begins Broadcasting New Action Channels to Central Europe Through Eutelsat W2 Satellite

PARIS, August 28/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eutelsat announced today that AXN, the high-energy general entertainment
television network from Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI), has
begun broadcasting two new thematic channels to cable networks in central
Europe using Eutelsat's W2 satellite. The two new channels, AXN Crime and AXN
Sci-Fi, have begun broadcasting in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.

The selection of W2 enables AXN to expand its broadcast reach.
AXN Crime and AXN Sci-Fi, broadcast 18 hours a day with soundtracks available
in Bulgarian, Hungarian, Romanian and Polish. The channels are encrypted in
PowerVu and uplinked to W2 by Eutelsat from its teleport in Rambouillet near
Paris.

"Efficient, flexible, and cost-effective distribution is one
of the key parts of our European growth strategy," said Robert Billeci,
SPTI's senior vice president, Technical Operations, International Networks.
"As we continue to expand our international networks business, we're pleased
to be able to use the advanced broadcast capabilities of Eutelsat, and are
confident that AXN Crime and AXN Sci-Fi will reach their intended audiences
via W2."

"This new contract for AXN Crime and AXN Sci-Fi shows the
growing importance of our W2 satellite to accompany the expansion of new
television channels into homes in central Europe," said Olivier Millies
Lacroix, Eutelsat's Commercial Director. "Backed by the extensive resources
of Sony Pictures International, AXN is uniquely equipped to make an important
mark in central Europe's dynamic broadcasting landscape. We are delighted to
have been selected by the International Networks group of Sony Pictures
Television International to provide a broadcast solution to support the
growth of their stable of channels and their continuing penetration into
television homes in Europe."

AXN Crime is fully dedicated to crime, investigation and
mystery. With the new channel viewers watch in-depth criminal investigations,
go behind the scenes as police work on some of the world's most fascinating
cases and get a close-up look when new technology solves 'cold cases'. Among
the shows airing on the channel are the critically acclaimed and
award-winning SPTI series The Shield and the David Caruso police detective
drama, Michael Hayes.

AXN Sci-Fi offers the best of science-fiction. The genre has a
very strong, fervent and dedicated audience in the countries of the region.
Ultimate sci-fi hit series praised by fans all over the world - Star Trek:
Enterprise, Andromeda, Sliders and Charlie Jade - are all shown on AXN
Sci-Fi. Battlestar Galactica and Trucks round out the channel's strong
programming content.

About AXN

Delivering top rated series, blockbuster features,
adventure-reality and first-run lifestyle sports programming, AXN is a
leading international television destination among young adults 18-34. AXN is
seen in 50 countries across Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East,
and is part of Sony Pictures Television International's diverse portfolio of
over 40 global networks. Sony Pictures Television International is a Sony
Pictures Entertainment company.

About Sony Pictures Television International

Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) is the division
of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) responsible for all television business
outside of the United States. SPTI operates three complementary lines of
business: 1) distribution of SPE's feature films and television programming
to television, mobile and digital content delivery outlets around the world,
2) local television production in key international markets, and 3)
international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the
distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and
television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced
television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany,
Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), the People's Republic of China,
Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom, SPTI currently oversees production in
nine regions of the world and is the leader in international television
production among all major Hollywood studios. SPTI's worldwide television
networks portfolio is a key strategy in the SPE's long-range commitment to
the global marketplace, with over 40 networks in more than 100 countries
reaching over 240 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures
Entertainment company.

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is
the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. The Group is a leading satellite
operator with capacity commercialised on 24 satellites providing coverage
over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India
and significant parts of Asia and the Americas. The Group is one of the
world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. Its
satellites are used for broadcasting more than 2,100 TV and 970 radio
stations to more than 120 million cable and satellite homes. The Group also
provides TV contribution services, corporate networks, mobile positioning and
communications, Internet backbone connectivity and broadband access for
terrestrial, maritime and in-flight applications. Eutelsat Communications is
headquartered in Paris, and the Group's workforce comprises over 480 from 27
countries.

www.eutelsat.com

For further information
Press Eutelsat
Vanessa O'Connor
Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88
voconnor@eutelsat.fr

Frederique Gautier
Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88
fgautier@eutelsat.fr

Investors Eutelsat
Gilles Janvier
Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-35
investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Press Sony Pictures Television International
Ron Sato
Tel: +1-310-244-4687
ron_sato@spe.sony.com

Source: Eutelsat Communications

For further information: Press Eutelsat, Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr. Investors Eutelsat, Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-35, investors@eutelsat-communications.com. Press Sony Pictures Television International, Ron Sato, Tel: +1-310-244-4687, ron_sato@spe.sony.com

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