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Universal Electronics and FOXTEL launch FOXTEL Branded Audio/Visual Accessory Range to Build Off of Successful Satellite Business


WEBWIRE

UEI selected as a technology provider and exclusive distributor of retail product line for Australia’s largest digital satellite television operator

CYPRESS, Calif., May 1, 2006 –Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) (NASDAQ: UEIC) announced today that FOXTEL®, Australia’s leading subscription television provider, has selected Universal Electronics BV (the European subsidiary of Universal Electronics Inc.) to partner in the development and serve as the exclusive distributor of the company’s new line of FOXTEL-branded digital accessories for the Australian retail market. The new range will launch with eight products including the FOXTEL Digital Remote, FOXTEL IQ Remote, FOXTEL DIGIPATH and a range of FOXTEL SCART cables.

Equipped with UEI’s proprietary technologies and device code library, as well as combined with FOXTEL’s extensive distribution capabilities, these products aim to tap into the more than 1.22 million households with cable and satellite services. Leveraging FOXTEL’s extensive distribution capabilities, these products will be sold through retail and wholesale distribution channels throughout Australia. The agreement enables the FOXTEL line of accessories to be distributed to electronics retailers across Australia, including major chains such as K-Mart, Big W, Dick Smith Electronics (including Dick Smith Powerhouse and Tandy Electronics stores), Telstra Shops and Harvey Norman Stores as well as mail order companies and independent retailers.

“We are very excited about our growing relationship with FOXTEL. “FOXTEL has a customer base of over 1.2 million subscribers who will be able to enhance their FOXTEL experience with these products. This partnership gives our retailers and distributors who are key to the development of digital TV services, the opportunity to further increase their business with FOXTEL,” stated Paul Arling, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Electronics.

“Increasingly we are seeing more and more Australians connecting their FOXTEL service as part of an integrated home theater setup that often includes widescreen TVs and AV amplifiers,” FOXTEL Executive Director of Content, Development and Delivery Patrick Delany said. “As consumers upgrade their audio visual equipment, they are also looking for better connections between their FOXTEL set-top-box and their television to ensure they obtain the best possible viewing experience. The new FOXTEL accessories range will allow our subscribers to tailor audio and visual solutions to enhance their FOXTEL service within the home environment.

These high-quality accessories have been designed to work specifically with the FOXTEL service and consumers can purchase these accessories from a range of well-known retailers.”

With availability beginning May 2006, the new accessory range will be supplemented by FOXTEL-branded point of sale materials to provide retailers and distributors with additional marketing tools for the product launch.

About Universal Electronics Inc. Universal Electronics Inc., based in Southern California, develops software, firmware and turnkey solutions designed to enable consumers to wirelessly connect, control and interact with an increasingly complex home environment. The company’s primary markets include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in consumer electronics and personal computing, as well as multiple system operators in the cable and satellite subscription broadcasting markets. Over the past 16 years, the company has developed a broad portfolio of patented technologies and the industry’s leading database of home connectivity software that it licenses to its customers, including many leading Fortune 500 companies. In addition, UEI sells its universal wireless control products to distributors and retailers in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia under the One For All® brand name. More information about UEI can be obtained at http://www.uei.com/.

About FOXTEL FOXTEL is Australia’s leading subscription television provider and is connected to more than 1.22 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. FOXTEL Digital provides subscribers with over 100 channels of news, sport, general entertainment, movies, documentaries, music and children’s programming. FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Ltd (50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd (25%). # # # One For All is a registered trademark or trademark of Universal Electronics Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development, ordering, delivery and market acceptance of products and technologies identified in this release; the Company’s continued ability to design products in a fashion that results in its technology being accepted by the companies customers and the end users; the continued importance of the Company’s database of codes and other technologies; the continued growth in the markets identified in this release to occur as anticipated by management; and other factors described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statement due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligations to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.



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