Key Facts:

Revenue: $756.4 million (annualized results for the three months ended September 30, 2011)
2.6 million homes passed
766,000 video subscribers, of which all are DTH subscribers
- Services include DVR and NVoD

as of September 30, 2011

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 54.1% indirect majority interest in AUSTAR as of September 30, 2011. AUSTAR is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (AUN).

Video

An AUSTAR DTH basic subscriber receives approximately 55 channels. Its DTH service also offers over 130 premium channels and 30 digital radio channels, as well as near video on demand (NVoD), pay-per-view service, interactive services, DVR functionality, and HD television. Austar’s NVoD service is comprised of 16 channels, dedicated to recently released movies.

In addition to residential subscribers, AUSTAR also provides its television services to commercial premises, including hotels, retailers, and licensed venues.

Programming

AUSTAR owns a 50% interest in XYZ Networks. XYZ Networks has an ownership interest in or distributes 17 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, 2010, unless otherwise stated.

Go to AUSTAR