WorldSpace to Launch First 24-Hour Global Hip Hop Music Channel

WorldSpace to Launch First 24-Hour Global Hip Hop Music Channel

'Flava' Extends Program Line Up and Delivers the Latest Hip Hop Programming From Around the World

SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WorldSpace, Inc., (NASDAQ:WRSP), one of the world leaders in satellite-based digital radio services, today announced plans to expand its program line up with the launch of Flava, a new channel that will offer subscribers the latest hip hop and urban music from around the world.

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"Not only is Flava the first channel devoted to the emergence of international hip hop and urban music but it also advances WorldSpace's mission -- delivering the greatest variety of unique programming to our subscribers," said Billy Sabatini, vice president of global content, WorldSpace. "We saw a real need for a 24-hour channel devoted exclusively to global hip hop's music and culture. We are confident that Flava will be a hit with our subscribers."

Debuting on the WorldSpace system November 15, Flava is the only station devoted solely to the emergence of internationally focused hip hop music. Flava is described as the channel that will celebrate hip hop's universal appeal while delivering the most popular genres of urban music, including:

* Bhangra -- Tracing its roots to the region of Punjab in North India and Pakistan, Bhangra is a form of dance pop music that has, in recent history, been fused with disco, reggae, rap and jungle music.

* Reggaeton -- Noted for its Spanish lyrics and rap beats, Reggaeton has become a leading staple among Latin America culture and the Latin American population.

* Kwaito -- Kwaito's locally-flavored lyrics and irresistible dance beats reflect life in South Africa and a distinctly South African-style of dancing, dressing and performing. Kwaito is known as the sound that defines South Africa's black youth.

* Dancehall -- As a type of Jamaican reggae, Dancehall inspires creativity, collaboration and inspiration among Jamaica's youth. The genre has become very popular among the world music scene.

The Company provides its subscribers with a variety of WorldSpace-branded content including jazz, rock, pop, classical and country. The new global hip hop channel, Flava, will be available to all subscribers at no additional cost.

About WorldSpace, Inc.

WorldSpace (NASDAQ:WRSP) is the world's only global media and entertainment company positioned to offer a satellite radio experience to consumers in more than 130 countries with five billion people, driving 300 million cars. WorldSpace delivers the latest tunes, trends and information from around the world and around the corner. WorldSpace subscribers benefit from a unique combination of local programming, original WorldSpace content and content from leading brands around the globe including the BBC, CNN, Virgin Radio, NDTV and RFI. WorldSpace's satellites cover two-thirds of the globe with six beams. Each beam is capable of delivering up to 80 channels of high quality digital audio and multimedia programming directly to WorldSpace Satellite Radios anytime and virtually anywhere. WorldSpace is a pioneer of satellite-based digital radio services (DARS) and was instrumental in the development of the technology infrastructure used today by XM Satellite Radio. For more information, visit http://www.worldspace.com/.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040319/WORLDSPACELOGO AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: WorldSpace, Inc.

CONTACT: Judith Pryor of WorldSpace, 202-969-6252, jpryor@worldspace.com, or Dacrie Brooks of Brodeur, +1-202-775-2646, dbrooks@brodeur.com, for WorldSpace, Inc.

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

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