Australia
AUSTAR United Communications Limited (AUSTAR) is the leading pay television provider to regional and rural Australia, including the capital cities of Hobart and Darwin. AUSTAR’s territory covers all of Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the regional areas outside of the capital cities in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
AUSTAR provides services through direct-to-home (DTH) satellite. Its DTH service is available to approximately one-third of Australian homes.
Liberty Global owns a 55.0% indirect majority interest in AUSTAR. AUSTAR is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (AUN).
Video
An AUSTAR DTH subscriber receives approximately 44 channels. Its DTH service also offers over 80 premium channels and more than 30 digital radio channels, as well as near video on demand (NVOD), interactive services, and DVR functionality. Austar’s NVOD service is comprised of 30 channels, dedicated to recently released movies. The interactive services include Sports Active, Weather Active, SKY News Active, and three game services.
In addition to residential subscribers, AUSTAR also provides its television services to commercial premises, including hotels, retailers, and licensed venues.
In addition to residential subscribers, AUSTAR also provides its television services to commercial premises, including hotels, retailers, and licensed venues.
Internet
AUSTAR operates two trial markets for broadband internet services over a WiMax network using AUSTAR’s spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz spectrum bands that it owns throughout its regional territory.
Voice
AUSTAR offers mobile voice services through a reseller agreement.
Programming
AUSTAR owns a 50% interest in XYZ Networks. XYZ Networks has an ownership interest in or distributes 11 channels throughout Australia. AUSTAR’s partner in XYZ Networks is FOXTEL. Through agreements with XYZ Networks and other programmers, AUSTAR has a number of long-term key exclusive programming agreements for its regional territory.
Information above is presented as of December 31, 2008, unless otherwise stated.
Information above is presented as of December 31, 2008, unless otherwise stated.