| 39713 | AUSTAR |
Thomson and AUSTAR join forces to drive High-Definition services to Australian consumers
Paris (France), September 22, 2008 – Australia’s leading regional Pay TV operator, AUSTAR, has selected Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS), the worldwide leader in video solutions to develop and supply a four tuner High Definition Personal Digital Recorder (PDR) platform along with extensive systems’ integration services. The combination High Definition set top box (STB) will mirror AUSTAR’s current MyStar STB, which features both dual Satellite and dual Terrestrial tuners, and will offer AUSTAR customers the experience of watching and simultaneously recording both AUSTAR delivered Satellite content plus local Free-To-Air terrestrial services. John Porter, AUSTAR’s CEO said: “We’re thrilled that Thomson will be involved in this next exciting chapter of content personalisation for our customers. Since the successful launch of our standard definition PDR, MyStar, AUSTAR has developed a strong relationship with Thomson, using their local expertise, which is thoroughly backed up by their global R&D teams. In selecting a partner to help us continue to plan for HD, we needed someone who has a complete understanding of our requirements and of the marketplace, and Thomson fits the bill.” Mr Porter noted that AUSTAR has not made a decision on the launch date of its HD content services, but that this development offers the company maximum flexibility for delivery to customers. Frederic Kurkjian, Vice President of Thomson’s Video Premises Systems activity said: “Thomson is extremely pleased that its strong and proven HD PDR platform has been selected to further advance the already successful deployment of AUSTAR’s services portfolio. Coupled with our global systems integration expertise, we aim to enable AUSTAR to offer the highest quality and most compelling digital video experience to their customers.” AUSTAR’s arrangement with Thomson covers PDR development and systems integration services, under which Thomson will take responsibility for integrating Thomson hardware with AUSTAR developed applications and third party developed middleware and conditional access systems. Thomson is currently supplying AUSTAR with the MyStar branded standard definition PDR, a four tuner platform which has experienced very strong consumer demand since launch.
