2 October 2007, Kuala Lumpur - National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and Astro today jointly announce that the one-hour National Geographic Channel Exclusive "Becoming a King" documentary programme, produced by Malaysian filmmakers, was the most-watched English language programme among the international channels on 27 August 2007. For the week of 27 August to 2 September 2007, "Becoming a King" was also the most watched documentary programme across all international factual entertainment channels in Malaysia. (Source: AGBNMR .)

In conjunction with Malaysia's 50th National Day celebration, "Becoming a King" was first premiered on National Geographic Channel in Asia on 27 August 2007. The programme was repeated on 31 August 2007 and 1 September 2007. "Becoming a King" will next air on 7 October 2007 (Sunday) at 8.00 pm, 8 October 2007 (Monday) at 4.00 pm and 14 October 2007 (Sunday) at 11am. National Geographic Channel is available exclusively on Astro channel 553.

Mr David Gunson, Senior Vice President of Programming and Broadcasting at National Geographic Channel Asia says, "The success of the highly personal and stirring story of Malaysia's thirteenth King - Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin - on the National Geographic Channel in Malaysia has been truly inspiring. It bears testament to the quality of production by Malaysian filmmakers and we are thrilled that Astro's audiences have so obviously enjoyed this landmark joint venture documentary production."

Ms Agnes Rozario, Head of Content Marketing at Astro says, "We are proud that Astro viewers are the first to watch this truly personal and inspiring story of our beloved Malaysian King. The television ratings reflect the success of this first-time initiative with National Geographic Channel, Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage and FINAS."

Encik Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim, Director-General of the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) says, "The success of this first-time initiative with National Geographic Channels International will go down in history today. We are extremely pleased with the television ratings results. We hope that it will be the start of many more quality documentary programmes produced by Malaysian filmmakers with National Geographic Channels International."

"Becoming a King" is a landmark high definition documentary production of National Geographic Channels International, the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage of Malaysia, the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) and in association with Astro. It is the first of the two made-in-Malaysia high-definition documentary programmes produced under the USD 400,000 "Malaysia to the World" NGCI-FINAS High Definition (HD) Documentary Fund 2006
AGB Nielsen Media Research. For more information, please contact Astro.

National Geographic Channels International

National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) invites viewers to re-think the way they see television - and the world - with smart, innovative programming. A business enterprise owned by National Geographic Television (NGT) and FOX Entertainment Group, NGCI contributes to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education.

Globally, National Geographic Channel (including NGC U.S. which is a joint venture of NGT and Fox Cable Networks Group) is available in 250 million homes (including day-part households) in 166 countries and 34 languages.

In Malaysia, National Geographic Channel is available exclusively on Astro Channel 553.

ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS

ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS plc is the region's leading cross-media operator with Direct-To-Home satellite multi-channel television services in Malaysia and Brunei and soon, in Indonesia. It is the country's leader in commercial radio, and publishes Malaysia's most widely circulated magazine, the Astro Guide. The ASTRO Entertainment Network produces over 20 television channels of original and aggregated content of various genres in multiple languages. Celestial Pictures owns the world's largest Chinese Film library and its digitally remastered films are released internationally through theatrical, video, television and new media distribution, and the Celestial Movies channels. The strength of these complementary brands has extended into interactive and multi-media services, including provision of content for mobile devices. AAAN operates out of the All Asia Broadcast Centre, a fully-integrated digital broadcast and production complex in Kuala Lumpur.

National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia)

Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (FINAS) was established in 1981 to encourage, to preserve and to facilitate filmmaking industry in Malaysia. FINAS has since set up numerous facilities to promote the industry, including a credit facility scheme which enables young and untiring film-makers to test their potential.

A further incentive to local film-makers is that they are invited to make television programmes either in film format or video format. There are now more than 300 film companies registered with FINAS.

For more information, please contact:

National Geographic Channel Asia (Singapore)
Basil Chua / Angie Tan
Tel: +65 6325 3848 / +65 6325 3821
Email: basilc@ngcasia.com / angiet@ngcasia.com

Astro All Asia Networks plc
Nirmala Kumarasami
Tel: +603 9543 6688 Ext. 3427
Email: nirmala_kumarasami@astro.com.my

National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS)
Mohd Fazli bin Abdul Aziz / Puan Norshilawati
Tel +603 4108 5722 ext 107 / +603 4108 5722 ext 115/ 221

Issued in Malaysia by:

Arcis Communications Sdn Bhd
Stephen P Francis/ Michele Malini Mahendra
Tel: +6012 3131 093 / +6012 316 5670
Email: stephen@arciscommunications.com / michele@arciscommunications.com