History HD and SD and The Biography Channel® to launch on Sky July 4th

July 1, 2009 – New York/Munich – A&E Television Networks (AETN) and The History Channel Germany will launch their factual portfolio of channels on Sky in Germany and Austria. HISTORY HD™ and SD and The Biography Channel® (BIO™) will debut on the platform on July 4, 2009. The History Channel Germany is a joint venture of AETN and NBC Universal Global Networks Deutschland.

The launch marks the debut of HISTORY HD in German-speaking Europe. The channel will broadcast 100 percent HD content, and will offer a separate schedule from the standard definition service. HISTORY HD will be languaged in German, with programming that covers a diverse variety of historical genres ranging from ancient to contemporary history, technology to natural history, as well as military history, science, archaeology and pop culture. HISTORY HD features stunning recreations, cutting-edge CGI and powerful storytelling; marquee shows include Cities of the Underworld, The Universe, Ax Men, Dogfights, Ancient Discoveries, Jurassic Fight Club and Ice Road Truckers.

“We are very pleased to team with Sky to launch HISTORY HD in Germany, a critically important television market,” said Sean Cohan, Sr. Vice President, International, AETN. “This is an exciting milestone as we continue to grow and invest in our German joint venture. Our loyal viewers and partners have been very receptive to the channels and services thus far and we expect HISTORY HD will captivate as well.”

Mark Williams, CEO of Premiere said, “The documentary offering of Sky is the greatest of its kind in Germany and Austria – both in Standard and High Definition. Our subscribers will love THE BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL, HISTORY AND HISTORY HD.”

“Through Sky, HD is poised to make a true impact in Germany, and we are convinced that HISTORY HD, with its breadth of top quality HD programming, will help Sky reach its subscriber goals. This is a time of transition in the German TV market, and Sky’s newly announced services will surely appeal to viewers by simplifying this historically complex market,” said Dr. Andreas Weinek, Managing Director HISTORY Germany.

In addition to Germany, HISTORY HD is available in the US, the UK and Ireland, the Benelux, Scandinavia, Central Europe, South East Asia, Japan and Korea.

HISTORY’s standard definition service launched in German-speaking Europe in 2004. The network features award-winning, original programming that covers a variety of topics, including ancient history, contemporary history, military history and conflict, and technology and transport. In addition to global history programs, HISTORY airs a robust selection of German history programming.

Now available in over 140 countries in more than 200 million TV households, HISTORY is the only international television network devoted exclusively to historical programming, featuring informative and entertaining series, specials and documentaries. The network is the leading destination for revealing, award-winning, original non-fiction series and event-driven specials that connect history with viewers in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. HISTORY was first launched in the US by AETN in 1995.

Launched in German-speaking Europe in 2007, BIO proves that the truth about people is always more entertaining than fiction. BIO is about real people and their real lives: up close and personal, gritty and provocative, always unfiltered. BIO original series uncover the drama in people stories: everyday situations with a twist; celebrities going off-script; people-centric crime stories and paranormal events. Among the series available on BIO are Gene Simmons Family Jewels, and the Emmy® Award-winning series Biography®.
BIO is available in over 45 territories, reaching more than 82 million households.

In German-speaking Europe, HISTORY and BIO are each operated and programmed directly by local management. Both channels are available through Kabel Deutschland, Unity, Arena SAT, Arcor, Primacom, Eutelsat, T-Online, Alice and LiWest; AON TV and UPC (Austria); and Cablecom and Swisscable (Switzerland).

In addition to its channel offerings in the German market, The History Channel Germany and AETN have a multi-faceted partnership with public broadcaster, ZDF. Dating to 1995, the partnership includes a co-production relationship between ZDF Enterprises and HISTORY (US). The agreement also includes program output deals between HISTORY Germany and ZDF and between ZDF and AETN International for a ZDF/HISTORY branded programming block which airs weekly on Sunday nights.

About AETN International:

A division of A&E Television Networks, AETN International markets the quality programming and proven success of HISTORY™, A&E®, The Biography Channel®, Crime & Investigation Network™, Military History™, HISTORY HD™, BIO HD™, and Crime & Investigation Network HD™ overseas. Through innovative local partnerships and affiliates, AETN International has expanded the presence of AETN channels and branded blocks around the world. In addition to licensing AETN channels, AETN International handles program sales, format sales and broadband and mobile licensing of content from the A&E and HISTORY catalogues to international broadcasters. AETN channels and programs are now available in more than 140 countries to over 200 million TV households. AETN International has offices in New York, London and Singapore. The AETN International website is located at www.AETNinternational.com.

About NBC Universal Global Networks Deutschland GmbH:

NBC Universal Global Networks Deutschland is a subsidiary of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies and as such it is a part of the concern General Electric (GE). With its distinct entertainment channels SciFi and 13TH STREET, the company is a powerhouse of brands, operating the NBC Universal pay-TV activities in the German-speaking area. Furthermore, the pay-TV channels HISTORY and THE BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL are run and marketed as a joint venture with AETN International.

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CONTACT:

For AETN:
Kerri Tarmey
+1 212 551 1504
Kerri.tarmey@aetn.com

Celine Xerri-Brook
+44 (0)1273 719 340
Gibraltar.brook@virgin.net

For PREMIERE:
Moritz Wetter
+49 89 9958 5300
Moritz.wetter@premiere-star.com

For The History Channel Germany:
Sebastian Wilhelmi
+49 89 38199 730
Sebastian.wilhelmi@nbcuni.com