Fox Moves All U.S. Programming to the PanAmSat Fleet
Tuesday February 3, 10:03 am ET

WILTON, Conn., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PanAmSat Corporation (Nasdaq: SPOT - News ) today announced one of the largest deals in the Company's 20-year history with a multi-year, multi-satellite, multi-transponder agreement with Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Fox will consolidate its entire suite of U.S. programming onto PanAmSat's global fleet for 15 years and move a significant portion of its international traffic onto the fleet for the next decade. Fox will now be one of PanAmSat's largest media customers and one of its top five global customers.

"This agreement with PanAmSat will provide Fox with unparalleled global coverage. By consolidating its distribution on our fleet, Fox is utilizing our satellites in every region of the world to broadcast its programming," said Joe Wright, president and CEO, PanAmSat. "Expansion of our core video market is also key to our growth strategy. This contract strengthens our cable and broadcast neighborhoods worldwide. By providing flexibility, redundancy, connectivity and service, PanAmSat continues to attract the world's top programmers to our global network."

Because of this agreement, PanAmSat will be responsible for the distribution of some of the most popular programs in the U.S. including: 24, American Idol, The Bernie Mac Show, Malcolm in the Middle, My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance, The O.C., The Simpsons, and That '70s Show. Internationally, PanAmSat will carry Fox's news, sports and entertainment channels. PanAmSat will support Fox using 17 transponders located across seven satellites on its global fleet. Specifically, the domestic agreement calls for a 15-year cable contract for 10 transponders and a 15-year broadcast agreement for four transponders. Internationally, Fox has signed a 10-year agreement for three transponders. In addition, PanAmSat is now the provider of choice for Fox's domestic and international satellite requirements.

Fox's cable group currently has six channels on Galaxy 11 at 91 degrees west longitude and will migrate four additional channels to the satellite in the second and third quarter of 2004. The 10-channel programming bouquet includes its regional sports networks, news, movies and general entertainment programming, and will anchor and solidify the cable neighborhood at this prime orbital slot. Additionally, FOX Broadcasting will move in July to Galaxy 4R at 99 degrees west longitude and Galaxy 3C at 95 degrees west longitude, joining ABC, Buena Vista, NPR, Televisa and WB among others. Fox international channels will consolidate its programming on the PAS-2 and PAS-8 Pacific Ocean Region satellites and the PAS-3R and PAS-9 Atlantic Ocean Region satellites.

"PanAmSat has successfully offered us a comprehensive solution for our cable, broadcast and international program distribution," said Andrew G. Setos, President of Engineering, Fox Group. "By concentrating our traffic on one constellation the efficiency of scale enabled PanAmSat to deliver a superior restoration plan that is essential to safeguarding FOX's current operations and its future growth."

About Fox Entertainment Group

Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., 82% owned by The News Corporation Limited (NYSE: NWS - News , NWS.A - News ), is principally engaged in the development, production and worldwide distribution of feature films and television programs, television broadcasting and cable network programming. The Company's studios, production facilities and film and television library provide high-quality creative content, and the Company's broadcasting and cable networks provide extensive distribution platforms for the Company's programs. For more information on the Fox Entertainment Group visit www.Fox.com .

About PanAmSat

PanAmSat Corporation (Nasdaq: SPOT - News ) is one of the world's top three satellite operators managing a global fleet of 30 satellites, 25 of which are wholly-owned by the Company, for the delivery of news, sports and other television programming. In total, this fleet is capable of reaching more than 98 percent of the world's population through cable television systems, broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home operators, Internet service providers and telecommunications companies. In addition, PanAmSat supports the largest concentration of satellite-based business networks in the US, as well as specialized communications services in remote areas throughout the world. PanAmSat is 81 percent owned by HUGHES Electronics Corporation. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.panamsat.com .

About HUGHES

Hughes Electronics Corporation is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment, broadband satellite networks and services, and global video and data broadcasting. Hughes is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd.

Source: PanAmSat Corporation