WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio Launches India's First 24-Hour Gujarati Channel

WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio Launches India's First 24-Hour Gujarati Channel

'Radio Umang' Celebrates Gujarat Music and Culture, Further Enhances Unique and Personalized Offerings for Subscribers

SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:WRSP), one of the world leaders in satellite-based digital radio services today introduced 'Radio Umang', the first ever 24-hour Gujarati radio channel for subscribers in South Asia including the Company's primary market of India. 'Radio Umang' (channel 111) presents a unique platform, ranging from the pulsating tunes of the Garba and Dandia Raas to the melodious Sugam Sangeet and Ghazals, that showcases the rich diversity of musical traditions of Gujarat. There are over 50 million people in India alone who speak Gujarati.

"We are continually looking to enhance our subscribers' listening experience with the addition of unique, compelling, and fresh content," said William Sabatini, vice president, global programming, WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio. "This most recent addition to our lineup demonstrates our commitment to further rounding out the breadth of our branded channels and differentiating ourselves from the offerings of traditional radio in India and around the world."

'Radio Umang' joins a growing portfolio of Indian regional language channels available on the WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio Network. WORLDSPACE currently offers eight other regional channels with dedicated programming in Tamil (KL Radio), Malayalam (RM Radio), Telugu (Spandana), Kannada (Sparsha), Bengali (Tara), Punjabi (Tunak Punjabi) Urdu (Falak) and Marathi (Surabhi). These WORLDSPACE channels also reach Indian listeners living within the AsiaStar(TM) satellite coverage area, including in the Middle East where there is a large Indian population.

This newest addition and ninth regional language channel in the WORLDSPACE line-up captures the rich folk music traditions of Gujarat and recognizes the various aspects of Gujarati music that has a strong repertoire of film and non-film music. The channel also features shows that are dedicated to Gujarati theatre, Garba music, Retro Gujarati film music, Gujarati poetry and literature, comedy, modern Gujarati music among several other interesting shows hosted by well-known personalities from the world of Gujarati music and entertainment. Several of these unique programs include:

Suravali Ashit Ni -- This program is hosted by one of the most respected names in the Gujarati music industry, Ashit Desai, and features some of his popular songs from various genres of Gujarati music.

Taajgi -- An invigorating breakfast show hosted by popular radio entertainer, Ajinkya Sampat. It showcases the best of Gujarati music from film songs, garba, folk songs and light music and also provides interesting music facts and trivia.

Be Ghadi Anand -- An evening show that features insight and perspectives on Gujarati culture, literature and music from playback singer Hema Desai.

Makhmali Mehfil -- Highlights rhythms of Gujarati ghazals and is hosted by Gujarati actor Aanand Goradiya.

About WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio

Based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, WorldSpace, Inc. (NASDAQ:WRSP) is the world's only global media and entertainment company positioned to offer a satellite radio experience to consumers in more than 130 countries with five billion people, driving 300 million cars. WORLDSPACE delivers the latest tunes, trends and information from around the world and around the corner.

WORLDSPACE subscribers benefit from a unique combination of local programming, original WORLDSPACE content and content from leading brands around the globe including the BBC, CNN, Virgin Radio UK, NDTV and RFI. The WORLDSPACE satellites cover two-thirds of the earth's population with six beams. Each beam is capable of delivering up to 80 channels of high quality digital audio and multimedia programming directly to WORLDSPACE Satellite Radios anytime and virtually anywhere in its coverage areas. WORLDSPACE is a pioneer of satellite-based digital radio services (DARS) and was instrumental in the development of the technology infrastructure used today by XM Satellite Radio. For more information, visit www.WORLDSPACE.com

Forward-looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs about future events and financial, political and social trends and assumptions it has made based on information currently available to it. The Company cannot assure that any expectations, forecasts or assumptions made by management in preparing these forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projections will be realized. Such forward-looking statements may be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein. Forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio

CONTACT: Judith Pryor, WORLDSPACE, +1-301-960-1242,
jpryor@WORLDSPACE.com; Dan Martin, Brodeur, +1-617-585-2780,
dmartin@brodeur.com

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

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