FOXTEL Launches Asia’s First Bookable Promos Service Using NDS XTV DVR Technology

Highlights:

* FOXTEL is the first pay-TV operator in Asia to launch a bookable promos feature
* Subscribers can now choose to record a show to their DVR by pressing a button
during the trailer
* By extending its XTV™ Digital Video Recorder (DVR) technology, NDS has also
enabled FOXTEL to develop applications that directly access the DVR functionality

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NDS, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that it has developed the first bookable promos service in Asia, for FOXTEL, Australia’s leading subscription television provider.

While watching a trailer for a show, viewers will now be able to book to record the show to their DVR by pressing the green button on their remote control.

With the press of a button, subscribers will be able to book to record movies, individual programmes, or an entire series, immediately or weeks in advance. This user-friendly feature can also be used during an ad break to allow viewers to receive more details about a specific advertisement by expressing interest with the same button press.

NDS has also provided FOXTEL with the XTV™ open infrastructure, an extended version of NDS XTV™ DVR technology that gives operators the flexibility to launch applications that directly access DVR functionality.

iSuggest is the first FOXTEL application that is based on the XTV open infrastructure. As a visual recommendation service, iSuggest presents TV show and movie posters in the subscriber’s personalised viewing gallery, making it easy for viewers to browse, select and record programmes directly into their planner.

Peter Smart, FOXTEL’s Director of Engineering said, “The launch of these solutions in Asia has been made possible thanks to NDS’ experience in advanced DVR solutions combined with its systems integration expertise. FOXTEL continually invests and innovates for the benefit of our subscribers, enhancing their TV viewing experience.”

“We have worked with FOXTEL since the launch of its first DVR in 2005,” said Peter Iles, General Manager, NDS Australia. “This latest collaboration, which provides cutting-edge services, reaffirms FOXTEL’s position as an innovator in the provision of advanced digital pay-TV services in the region.”

About FOXTEL
FOXTEL is Australia’s leading subscription television provider and is connected to 1.63 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. FOXTEL strives to ensure subscribers find TV they want to watch every time they switch on through delivery of more than 150 channels covering 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 Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (25%).

About NDS
NDS Group Ltd. creates the technologies and applications that enable pay-TV operators to securely deliver digital content to TV STBs (set-top boxes), DVRs (digital video recorders), PCs, mobiles and other multimedia devices. Over 70 of the world’s leading pay-TV platforms rely on NDS solutions to protect and enhance their businesses. VideoGuard® is the world’s market-leading conditional access (CA) and digital rights management (DRM) technology, currently deployed on 111 million active devices, and safeguarding pay-TV service revenues exceeding $40 billion. NDS middleware, including MediaHighway® which enables a host of advanced services for subscribers, has been deployed on 128 million devices. NDS DVR technology, centred around XTV™, leads the global industry with 23 million units deployed. (Deployment figures as of 30th September 2009).

Headquartered in the UK, NDS remains committed to investing in R&D with over 75% of its employees dedicated to pioneering work at development centres in China, Denmark, France, India, Israel, Korea, UK and US. NDS has also implemented a host of initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and helping digital TV subscribers reduce energy consumption.

NDS Group Ltd. is a private company owned by the Permira Funds and News Corporation. See www.nds.com for more information.