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TrendPro TV reaches out to 5.3 million digital television viewers across European German-speaking countries
London, November 9, 2004 BT, one of the worlds leading providers of IT and networking services, and Thane Direct, an industry leader in direct response retail marketing, today announce the distribution and launch of TrendPro TV. The German language shopping channel is the first direct-to-home DTH service to take advantage of BTs Astra 1G satellite platform following its launch last September.
Aimed at the 5.3 million* digital viewers in European German-speaking countries, TrendPro TV presents a highly sophisticated television-marketing model, featuring infomercials on a wide variety of major consumer brands.
As part of the agreement, BT will repurpose Thanes English language programme content for the German-speaking market and manage the distribution of the signal. Once the feed has been repurposed, compressed and multiplexed, the signal will be uplinked to the Astra 1G Satellite.
The Astra platform, located at 19.2° East, provides access to the largest digital satellite audience in Western Europe, explains Simon Orme, director of sales, BT Broadcast Services. Trendpro TV has been quick to take advantage of the easy access to the German-speaking European market that BTs service provides.
Thane/BT Broadcast Services TrendPro TV - Page Two
Amir Tukulj, President and CEO of Thane Direct commented, TrendPro TV will serve as the infomercial broadcast home for Thanes top-producing infomercial programming. The launch marks yet another broadcasting milestone for both Thane Direct and BT. BTs understanding of the international DTH market has been integral to the development of our international expansion strategy.
In order to watch Trendpro TV, viewers are advised to tune to Astra 1G @ 19.2° East, transponder 118 - Frequency: 12699 Mhz (V); Symbol rate: 22 Msymbols; 5/6 FEC * Source: SES Astra March 2004
About BT Broadcast Services
BT Broadcast Services (BTBS) is the media and satellite services arm of BT, which designs, develops and manages global broadcast, content management and communications systems. Its international customer base includes broadcasters, content owners and distributors, large corporations and government organisations throughout the world.
BTBS provides bespoke satellite and fibre-based solutions, some of which utilise sophisticated digital content and data management technology, to transport and manage video, audio and data. Delivering live broadcasts from major international events, providing digital terrestrial TV (DTTV) networks and direct to home (DTH) satellite platforms, storing and securely distributing video content to broadband devices, enabling retail digital signage and designing and managing major corporate communications infrastructures are just some of the areas in which BTBS excels. An industry pioneer, BTBS aims to deliver the highest quality of service, flexibility and efficiency through advanced technology and industry expertise.
BTBS is part of BT Global Services. BT Global Services is BT's business services division, which serves multi-site organisations with European operations.
About BT Group
BT Group plc is the holding company for an integrated group of communications businesses and is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.
BT is one of the worlds leading providers of communications solutions serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. Its principal activities include network centric Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services.
BT consists principally of three lines of business: BT Retail, providing fixed and mobile communications services and solutions to over 20 million business and residential customers in the UK. It is also a leading UK internet services provider. BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK to more than 600 fixed and mobile operators and service providers including the provision of broadband, private circuits and PSTN. BT Global Services, providing ICT services internationally to meet the needs of multi-site organisations with European operations. BT Global Services operates in 136 countries and also offers international carrier services.
In the year ended 31 March 2004, BT Groups turnover was £18,519 million with profit before goodwill amortisation, exceptional items and taxation of £2,013 million. For more information, visit www.btplc.com
For further information, please contact:
Paul Borge Adam Barber Band & Brown Communications Band & Brown Communications T: +44 (0) 20 7419 6953 T: +44 (0) 20 7419 8631 E: paulb@bbpr.com E: adam@bbpr.com
BT Group Newsroom SSA Public Relations (For Thane) T: +44 (0) 20 7356 5369 +44 (0) 20 7849 5689