YES Television and Broadcasting Network (Thailand) Form Joint Venture to Launch Thailand's 1st Interactive Television Service

Bangkok--Mar 23--Yes Television Yes Television of the UK and Broadcasting Network Thailand (BNT) have reached agreement to set up a joint venture to launch revolutionary interactive television services in Thailand. Yes Television, which is the leading provider of on-demand solutions for broadband networks, will contribute the technical platform, international content and capital investment to the joint venture. BNT will contribute Thai content and in-depth knowledge of the local market. The joint venture will draw on the management expertise of both parent companies. The venture will create Asia's first on-demand service on cable television, and the most advanced interactive television service in Asia. The technology will be based on Yes Television's IP-based solution operating in MPEG-2 at 4 mbps. The service will be operated over the cable network of Asia Multimedia, which currently passes 800,000 homes in Bangkok. The joint venture plans to carry out technical trials this year, with a view to a full commercial launch in 2000. The service will include a range of interactive services, all tailored for the Thai market, including: * Full Video on Demand - with pause, fast forward and rewind functions via a TV remote control * Music on Demand offering videos and interviews from top bands and real time interactive charts * TV on Demand with a wide range of content using the same full interactivity. * Education and Games on demand. Plans for the service will continue to evolve up and beyond the launch date. Yes is currently the leading operator of on-demand services in the UK, with the first joint- commercial trial over cable already underway on media and telecom giant NTL's Cardiff network. The company is well funded by private equity and has no plans to raise additional finance to meet its commitments in Thailand. Mr. Thomas Kressner, Chairman and CEO of Yes Television, said: "We are delighted to have found a partner with BNT's depth of experience in the global media market, and a shared vision of the future of entertainment. BNT's outstanding track record and its range of local content were both important factors in choosing Thailand for our first commercial venture in Asia." Mr. Itthivat Bhiraleus, Chairman of BNT, commented: "Yes Television brings a combination of skills in the development of a scaleable interactive television and strong international content, which will allow us to develop the best interactive entertainment service in Asia. We believe that this service is very user friendly and will prove highly popular with Thai consumers". For more information, please contact: M.R. Rujayarak Abhakorn Broadcasting Network (Thailand) Limited Tel: 712 8181 Fax: 712 5206, 3182870 End.

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