News Corporation s STAR Signs US Distribution Deal with RCN

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News Corporation s STAR Signs US Distribution Deal with RCN

HONG KONG & HERNDON, Va.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--RCN Corporation (NASDAQ: RCNI), a leading provider of all-digital television, high-capacity data, and voice services to residential, business customers and service providers, and STAR, a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation and Asia's leading media and entertainment company, today announced the launch of three popular Indian television channels, STAR India PLUS, STAR India GOLD, and STAR ONE across RCN's platform on November 30.

These channels will be available in all of RCN's service areas that have been converted to the company's all-digital network, including the areas of Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Washington, DC Metro Area, Philadelphia, PA, and New York, NY. Ultimately, all RCN subscribers will be part of the company's all-digital network. Viewers in the all-digital service areas can now subscribe to the following channels:

"We're truly excited to join hands with RCN in offering our top notch Hindi channels to a whole new audience across RCN's footprint," said David Wisnia, STAR's Senior Vice President for Distribution and Sales and head of STAR's North American and European offices. "I have full confidence that RCN's South Asian viewers will quickly take to the highly rated dramas, comedies, soaps, Bollywood movies and reality shows that have made STAR India's leading broadcaster."

"The addition of these three top Indian entertainment channels is only the first step in RCN's robust expansion of international programming," said Senior Vice President, Strategic External Affairs & Programming Richard Ramlall. "We are very pleased to partner with STAR in bringing additional outstanding South Asian viewing choices to our customers."

To subscribe to the STAR channels on RCN, customers can call 1-800-RING-RCN (1-800-746-4726) or visit[ www.rcn.com ].

"RCN offers many great ways to save by bundling. Our STAR Bundle gives you all three channels for only $21.95 a month. That's a savings of almost $10 a month off the individual retail prices!" said Aleisha Bozin, Senior Manager, Programming. "Get our STAR/TV Asia Pack with the three STAR channels plus TV Asia for just $27.95 a month, a monthly savings of almost $20 a month! Or subscribe to our STAR/ Zee TV Pack with all three STAR channels plus Zee TV for only $34.95 a month."

About STAR

STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts over 60 television services in ten languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR channels cover all genres including general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star One, Star Utsav, Star Jalsha, Star World, Vijay, antv, Phoenix Chinese Channel), sports (ESPN, Star Sports, Star Cricket), movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Chinese Movies 2, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]), and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Star Majha, Phoenix InfoNews Channel).

STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming and also owns the world's largest contemporary Chinese film library, with more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies, STAR businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable systems and distribution, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation. [ www.startv.com ]

About RCN Corporation

RCN Corporation, [ http://www.rcn.com ], is a facilities-based, competitive broadband telecommunications services provider delivering video, high-speed data and voice services to residential and small-medium business customers under the brand names of RCN and RCN Business Services, respectively. In addition, through the RCN Metro Optical Networks business unit, RCN delivers fiber-based high-capacity data transport services to large commercial customers, primarily large enterprises and carriers, targeting the metropolitan central business districts in the company's geographic markets. RCN's primary service areas include Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley (PA), New York City, Boston and Chicago. (RCNI-G)

Contributing Sources

Market Wire

STAR India PLUS:Channel 481. STAR India PLUS has been the number one General Entertainment Channel in India for eight consecutive years. STAR India PLUS regularly features many of the top programs in the country, week in, week out. Primetime programs on STAR India PLUS include household-name soap operas such as Sapna Babul Ka…Bidaai and Kis Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil as well as some of the nation's favorite reality and game shows including Nach Baliye and STAR Voice of India. STAR India PLUS is available individually for $11.95 per month or as a package with the other STAR channels for a discounted rate of $21.95 per month.

STAR India GOLD:Channel 480. STAR India GOLD brings to audiences the best and biggest Bollywood blockbusters. With one of the most formidable Indian film libraries in the world, STAR India GOLD offers a wide variety of films for the entire family, showcasing Bollywood's hottest and most legendary stars and filmmakers. STAR India GOLD is available individually for $9.95 per month or as a package with the other STAR channels for a discounted rate of $21.95 per month.

STAR ONE:Channel 482. Unleashing the next generation of Hindi entertainment, STAR ONE offers an innovative, diverse mix of programming and cutting edge production values that appeal to urban, upwardly mobile Indian audiences. Top rating programs on the channel include drama Dill Mill Gayye and the reality comedy show, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. STAR ONE is available individually for $9.95 per month or as a package with the other STAR channels for a discounted rate of $21.95 per month.