Munich, 11 August 2010. The Munich-based entertainment company Sky has entered a framework agreement with Deutsche Netz Marketing GmbH (DNMG) for the supply of HD channels in the cable networks of DNMG member companies. With 140 member companies, DNMG is the largest marketing organisation for operators of cable television in German-speaking countries. The framework agreement encompasses the supply of the seven HD channels currently being broadcast by Sky as well as the three new HD channels which will start on 13 August. The cable network operators affiliated with DNMG can enter into the framework agreement, allowing them to offer their customers the most comprehensive HD service in Germany, only from Sky. As a result, the additional technical reach of the complete HD service from Sky is increasing by 600,000 cable households by the end of the year.
Wolfram Winter, Senior Vice President, Distribution Development at Sky Deutschland: “We are very pleased that we’ve successfully reached a timely agreement with our partners at DNMG for the distribution of our complete HD service. This enables Sky Deutschland to continue making progress in the expansion of its high definition programming and to strengthen its market-leading position as the provider of qualitatively high-value HD content.”
Ingo Schuchert, President of DNMG: “The outstanding Sky HD service is being expanded once again. As a long-time partner, we are of course pleased to support this effort. This cooperation with Sky means that our members can offer their cable TV customers even more attractive television service.”
All ten HD channels from Sky will be distributed via satellite beginning on 13 August. For cable customers, they are completely available through the regional networks of Netcologne (Cologne), wilhelm.tel (Norderstedt), willy.tel (Hamburg), S+K Servicekabel (Halle) as well as Teleco (Cottbus). Guido Schwarzfeld, Area Leader of Broadband Communications at Netcologne, welcomes the advantages for his customers as a result of this programming expansion: “Cable customers who already have booked the pay-TV packages of Sky can view the new channels – according to the ordered programming packages – immediately and without additional costs. This is a sensible development for our cooperation with Sky Deutschland.” Both companies had already agreed to a sales partnership in the spring. Netcologne bundles its own products with a Sky subscription for a triple play service (high speed internet flat-rate, telephone flat-rate and Sky subscription).
In addition, Sky agreed to a strengthened collaboration with Kabel & Medien Service (KMS) Munich. Customers can now also book Sky subscriptions at KMS retail outlets, allowing them to view the comprehensive premium content of the entertainment broadcaster.
On its current offering of seven total HD channels, Sky already offers new blockbusters, family entertainment, top live sporting events and informative documentaries on subjects such as nature and the environment, technology and science, travel and adventure – all in extremely high resolution and with the largest share of true HD content on German television. Sky HD includes the channels Sky Cinema HD, Sky Sport HD, Disney Cinemagic HD, Eurosport HD, Discovery HD, National Geographic HD and History HD. Starting 13 August, with the addition of Sky Sport HD 2, Sky Cinema Hits HD and Sky Action HD, the subscription broadcaster is expanding its total number of high definition channels to ten. In so doing, Sky is strengthening its market-leading position with qualitatively high-value true HD channels.
Sky Sport HD, which will be renamed Sky Sport HD 1 with the start of the second high definition Sky sport channel, already shows an outstanding offering of premium sporting events. Sky Sport HD 2 will complement Sky Sport HD 1 in order to show many other top live sporting events in HD quality. This includes all German games of the UEFA Champions League, up to three Premier League games per game day, a second game of the German hockey league (DEL), even more live golf events from the US PGA and European PGA Tour as well as the major tournaments, including the Ryder Cup. Starting on the first game day of the new season (20 – 22 August), the Bundesliga will be available in conference mode. This television highlight now also offers football fans all goals in top-quality HD. Also in HD and exclusive with Sky: The UEFA Champions League in conference mode on Sky Sport HD 1.
About DNMG:
With over 140 affiliated companies, Deutsche Netzmarketing GmbH (DNMG) has emerged in the past ten years as the largest marketing organisation for providers of cable television networks in German-speaking countries. In addition to a multitude of mid-sized companies, members include large network operators such as Tele Columbus as well as City Carrier, NetCologne and welhelm.tel. In addition, housing companies with their own broadband cable networks and the Bundesverband der Wohnungswirtschaft (Federal Association of the Housing Industry) (GdW) are also affiliated. The companies represented by DNMG serve over six million households with cable television and services. Currently, twelve entertainment channels, five shopping channels, two platform operators and one mobile broadcast operator use the services of DNMG for coverage configuration and central billing.
About Netcologne:
As a regional fixed network operator, Netcologne serves the Cologne/Bonn market with effective and secure communication technology. The service ranges from telephone – landline and mobile – to internet, cable TV and data services, as well as complex corporate networks and customised telecommunication solutions. The company employs 757 employees (full-time positions) and earned revenues of around €324 million in 2009. More information can be found at http://www.netcologne.de/.
Contact for journalists:
Dr. Armin Sieber
Director Communications
Tel.: +49 89/99 58-63 77
armin.sieber@sky.de
Contact for investors and analysts:
Christine Scheil
Vice President Investor Relations
Tel.: +49 89/99 58-10 10
christine.scheil@sky.de
