PanAmSat Furthers Leadership Position of Galaxy HD With HDNet Multi-Transponder, Long-Term Contract

PanAmSat Furthers Leadership Position of Galaxy HD With HDNet Multi-Transponder, Long-Term Contract

Leading HDTV Network Secures Prime Real Estate on Industry's Top HD Satellite

WILTON, Ct., July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PanAmSat (NYSE:PA) today announced that HDNet has executed a long-term extension of its multi-transponder agreement to provide satellite delivery of the HDNet programming networks to U.S. cable and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers through January 2021.

"HDNet was one of our anchor tenants on Galaxy HD, helping to establish the satellite as the premier platform for the distribution of HD programming to U.S. cable and DBS systems," said Mike Antonovich, executive vice president, Global Sales and Marketing, PanAmSat. "This new contract demonstrates two things -- HDNet's long-term commitment to being a leading high-definition network and their belief in the power of the Galaxy HD neighborhood. The Galaxy HD platform provides programmers such as HDNet the ability to reach virtually every HD-enabled cable head-end in America, guaranteeing the most extensive reach possible. This is just another example of how PanAmSat is the leading provider of HD in the U.S. marketplace and underscores our position as the number-one distributor of television channels around the world."

Launched in September 2001 by co-founders Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and Philip Garvin of Colorado Studios, HDNet provides viewers with more 1080i HD original news, sports, music and entertainment programming than any other network. HDNet Movies features a wide selection of major studios' theatrical releases -- all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio -- as well as features produced and finished in true 1080i high-definition, many premiering day and date on HDNet Movies with their theatrical releases.

"As HDNet continues to build a leading position in the world of high-definition networks, it is important for us to maintain our distribution on the country's prime high-definition satellite and that's Galaxy 13. The technologically advanced satellite is the perfect distribution vehicle for our networks," said Philip Garvin, co-founder and general manager of HDNet.

Placed into service in January 2004, Galaxy 13 is home to the first, largest and most powerful high-definition neighborhood. PanAmSat's Galaxy HD neighborhood is home to some of the biggest names in cable television including: HDNet, HDNet Movies, HBO HD, Cinemax HD, Encore HD, Fox Sports Net HD, NFL Network HD, STARZ! HD, TNT HD and Wealth TV.

Located at 127 degrees west longitude in the U.S. cable arc, Galaxy 13 is also part of PanAmSat's "Power of Five" antenna program, which provides qualified cable operators with simultaneous access to five Galaxy neighborhood satellites.

About HDNet

HDNet provides viewers with exciting and topical news, sports, music and entertainment programming. The network features up to 20 hours of original programming each week, all produced in the highest quality 1080i HDTV format -- more original high-definition programming than any other network. HDNet news and entertainment includes original series "HDNet World Report," "Deadline!," "Face 2 Face with Roy Firestone," "Art Mann Presents," "HDNet Concert Series," and "True Music," as well as every episode of the acclaimed Warner Bros. series "Smallville." Live sports productions include NASCAR auto racing, National Hockey League and Major League Soccer games. HDNet Movies, the company's second network, shows a wide selection of major studios' theatrical releases - all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio. The network also features movies produced and finished in true 1080i high-definition, including movies premiering day and date with their theatrical releases. Co-founded by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on Adelphia, Charter, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.

About PanAmSat

Through its owned and operated fleet of 23 satellites, PanAmSat (NYSE:PA) is a leading global provider of video, broadcasting and network distribution and delivery services. In total, the Company's in-orbit fleet is capable of reaching over 98 percent of the world's population through cable television systems, broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home operators, Internet service providers and telecommunications companies. In addition, PanAmSat supports the largest concentration of satellite-based business networks in the U.S., as well as specialized communications services in remote areas throughout the world. For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.panamsat.com.

Source: PanAmSat

CONTACT: Kathryn Lancioni of PanAmSat, +1-203-210-8649

Web site: http://www.panamsat.com/

------- Profile: Ent