STAR Group to establish offices in Dubai Media City

STAR Group - a unit of News Corp., one of the world's largest media conglomerates - to have regional operational base in DMC

DUBAI: June 22nd , 2003

Asia's leading media company, STAR Group, has become the latest broadcasting giant to join Dubai Media City.

The company will be using its Dubai Media City facility as an operational base to bring the world's best TV channels to the region. STAR's offices will be located in Dubai Media City's new Boutique Offices and will become operational in August 2003.

STAR pioneered satellite television in Asia in 1991 with five television channels. In the process, it catalysed explosive growth in the media industry across the entire region.

STAR today broadcasts 40 channels in seven languages, providing viewers with a comprehensive range of sports, music, movies, news, entertainment and documentaries. STAR's services reach more than 300 million viewers across 53 countries in Asia, India and the Middle East. More than 120 million people watch STAR every week.

STAR is the latest member of Dubai Media City's fast-growing broadcast sector, which, to date, has 23 TV and radio companies. The City offers an advanced satellite communications infrastructure and a favourable business environment for broadcasters to develop and flourish. It is also home to a wide range of feeder industries for the broadcast sector - a combination of factors that makes Dubai Media City the best location for broadcast companies in the region.

"DMC's advanced, comprehensive and fully-customized facilities make it an ideal operational base for STAR to grow our business in this region," said Altaf Alimohamed, President, Digital Platforms Group, STAR (Middle East) Ltd. "Our association with DMC underscores our long-term commitment to the region, and we believe it will further strengthen our TV services in this market."

"STAR's vast expertise and broadcasting experience in Asia makes it an extremely valuable addition to the Dubai Media City community," said Abdulhamid Juma, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Media City. "In Dubai Media City, STAR will find a strategic base to enhance its business and operations in the region," he added.