SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio , one of the world leaders in satellite-based digital radio services, today announced it will officially kick-off live sporting event coverage on its PLAY (520) channel with the India tour of South Africa on November 19. The tour includes five one-day internationals (ODIs) and three tests. WORLDSPACE has exclusive radio broadcast rights throughout South Asia and parts of the Middle East for 12 tours and more than 200 days of cricket through its agreement with ESPN STAR Sports (announced Sept. 25, 2006). This live, "ball-by-ball" coverage further enhances WORLDSPACE's content offerings, adding a new dimension to its sports programming and providing subscribers with yet another truly unique listening experience.
"With our first-ever live play-by-play sports broadcast, we are beginning a new era at WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio," said William Sabatini, vice president, global programming, WORLDSPACE. "The combination of our dedicated team, complemented by the on-air insights and perspectives of former international cricketers will ensure our subscribers are fully informed and entertained."
Former cricket stars who will be providing analysis and expert opinion include: Ken Rutherford, a former New Zealand captain from 1992-1995; Nikhil Chopra, an Indian cricket player; Kris Srikkanth, a former Indian cricket player and one of the heroes of the 1983 Cricket World Cup and the 1985 World Championship of Cricket triumph for the Indians; Rodney Hogg, a former Australian cricketer; Anshuman Gaekwad, a former Indian cricketer and former Indian coach; and Kiran More, a former Indian cricketer and former Chief of Selectors.
To supplement the live coverage of matches, WORLDSPACE has built a wide range of supporting match day content, including:
* Pre-Match Show -- a 30-minute program preceding each match that will
feature interviews, the weather report, the pitch report, presentation
of the team lineups as well as interactivity with the listeners via
phone, text, e-mail & skype
* Lunch Break -- a 40-minute program comprising interviews from ground
correspondents, analysis by PLAY commentators, and an interactive
session with the listeners
* Tea Break -- 20-minute program comprising a summary and analysis from
the in-studio hosts, interviews with ground correspondents, and a pre-
produced vignette on a player or issue relevant to the current match
* Post-Match Show -- a 30- to 45-minute program (dependent on the type of
match, Test v. ODI) featuring post-match interviews with players and
coaches, analysis of the day's play, match highlights, and a look
forward to the next match
WORLDSPACE will also offer extensive content during non-cricket days. In addition to numerous PLAY-produced specials featuring interviews with cricket experts, former players and other famous Indian sports personalities, PLAY will also broadcast exclusive content from the BBC archives including A History of Cricket series, a profile of Sir Don Bradman, and a history of The Ashes.
About WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio
Based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Worldspace, Inc. is the world's only global media and entertainment company positioned to offer a satellite radio experience to consumers in more than 130 countries with five billion people, driving 300 million cars. WORLDSPACE delivers the latest tunes, trends and information from around the world and around the corner. WORLDSPACE subscribers benefit from a unique combination of local programming, original WORLDSPACE content and content from leading brands around the globe including the BBC, CNN, Virgin Radio UK, NDTV and RFI. WORLDSPACE's satellites cover two-thirds of the earth's population with six beams. Each beam is capable of delivering up to 80 channels of high quality digital audio and multimedia programming directly to WORLDSPACE Satellite Radios anytime and virtually anywhere in its coverage areas. WORLDSPACE is a pioneer of satellite-based digital radio services (DARS) and was instrumental in the development of the technology infrastructure used today by XM Satellite Radio. For more information, visit http://www.worldspace.com/.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs about future events and financial, political and social trends and assumptions it has made based on information currently available to it. The Company cannot assure that any expectations, forecasts or assumptions made by management in preparing these forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projections will be realized. Such forward-looking statements may be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein. For factors that could cause actual results to vary, perhaps materially, from these forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company's Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other subsequent filings. Forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this presentation. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.
