STAR set for further expansion in North America
David Wisnia heads new Los Angeles Sales Office...

STAR, the Hong Kong-based media and entertainment company, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of News Corporation, is expanding distribution of its signature Hindi and Mandarin language programming in North America with the opening of a sales office in Los Angeles. Headed by David Wisnia, Vice President for Distribution and Sales, the new office will market and drive distribution of Asia's most popular networks in North America.

STAR, Asia's leading media and entertainment company, now broadcasts over 40 Asian language channels to 300 million viewers in Asia and beyond. It also produces over 10,000 hours of Indian and Chinese language programming per year.

In the United States, STAR is looking to expand distribution of its current slate of four top-rated channels, which are currently available on DirecTV:

STAR India PLUS - India's number one rated cable channel featuring popular comedy, drama and entertainment programming.

STAR ONE - The broad-based alternative Hindi language channel.

STAR India NEWS - The 24-hour Hindi news channel, one of the most watched news outlets in India.

VIJAY - One of the most popular Tamil language channels in India.

STAR will also market STAR GOLD, India's favorite Hindi movie channel, and several Mandarin language channels. STAR's Mandarin language channels include STAR Chinese Channel, the top-rated general entertainment channel in Taiwan, and Channel [V], the trend-setting youth channel.

STAR's Hong Kong-based Chief Operating Officer, Laureen Ong, is overseeing the company's expansion efforts in the US. He said: "Asians, particularly those of Indian and Chinese descent, represent the largest growing ethnic group in the United States after Hispanics. We know the US demand for Indian and Chinese programming is growing, and STAR is well positioned to offer thousands of hours of quality, original programming to this under-served market."

David Wisnia comes to STAR after being with Fox Sports Internationsl for nearly eight years, including four years with Fuel TV. Mr Wisnia was Vice President looking after Business and Legal Affairs, responsible for providing day-to-day oversight of business and legal affairs department, which supports the Fox Sports/FUEL TV cable television channels, domestically and internationally. As part of his business affairs responsibilities, Wisnia was also responsible for launching the Fox Sports networks into Africa and Turkey.