1 April 2008, Kuala Lumpur - National Geographic Channels International ("NGCI") and the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia ("FINAS") today jointly announce the sequel of its landmark partnership agreement to commission one-hour original documentary programmes in high-definition (HD) that showcase Malaysia to the world and encourage local filmmaking talents.

Malaysia to the World 2 will see two new documentaries being produced under an additional grant of USD 400,000 (approximately RM 1,300,000). This follows the highly successful Becoming A King and Smart Tunnel documentaries produced under the initial partnership between NGCI and FINAS in 2006.

In conjunction with the announcement today, NGCI kicks off the call-for-entries to all Malaysian-based production companies. Details of the programme can be found on www.ngcasia.com with closing date for entries on 31 May 2008. The finished documentaries will be aired globally on National Geographic Channel's network in 270 million homes across 166 countries.

Yang Berhormat Datuk Shafie Apdal, Minister of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage, Malaysia, says, "As a global leader in high-quality, credible and entertaining documentary filmmaking, National Geographic Channels International is a valuable partner for FINAS as we empower Malaysia talents in world-class documentary filmmaking know-how. Our initial efforts with the Becoming A King and Smart Tunnel documentaries have already yielded overwhelming results. Malaysia to the World 2 will open up additional opportunities for other aspiring filmmakers here as we encourage and propel Malaysian production companies to compete globally."

Encik Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim, Director-General of FINAS, adds, "The National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia is gratified that Malaysian talents are being showcased through this partnership with National Geographic Channels International. We are constantly looking at opportunities to promote the local filmmaking industry and we are excited to be associated with this partnership. Working with world class brands like the National Geographic Channel encourage, preserve and empower the growth and development of the filmmaking industry in Malaysia."

Mr Bryan Smith, Executive Vice President of Production, National Geographic Channels International, says, "National Geographic Channels International is pleased with the first joint productions that saw high quality documentaries being created right here in Malaysia. The expansion of our relationship with FINAS to produce two more high-definition documentaries for the global audience will further cultivate local filmmaking talents and continue to showcase the rich diversity of Malaysia's people and culture. We thank Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage, National Film Development Corporation and Astro for the great partnership and we look forward to Malaysia To The World 2 to showcase yet another group of highly talented Malaysian's with their own unique take on Malaysia and the world."

"As Malaysia's leading multimedia broadcaster, Astro is deeply committed to content localisation through subtitles, voiceovers, local talents and programs that will promote Malaysians and Malaysia on our channel partners' global platforms. The documentaries produced under Malaysia to the World have seen consistently high viewership in Malaysia. In fact, Becoming a King was the most watched documentary across all international factual entertainment channels in Malaysia for the week of 27 August to 2 September 2007. Hence, we are confident that Malaysia to the World 2 will enjoy great success, with the selected production companies guided by National Geographic Channel's award-winning producers to ensure a consistently high-quality production," says Ms Rohana Rozhan, Chief Executive Officer of Astro.

About 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 through its five channels: National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Channel HD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Adventure and Nat Geo Music.

Globally, National Geographic Channel (including NGC U.S. which is a joint venture of NGT and Fox Cable Networks Group) is available in 270 million homes in 166 countries and 34 languages.

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

About 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.
To promote documentary makers in Malaysia, FINAS encourages documentary production with Malaysian cultural, historical and socio-economic themes.

About Astro

Astro is Malaysia's leading multimedia broadcaster and producer of Malay, Chinese, Indian and English language programming content. It owns and operates the only direct-to-home satellite TV service with access to some 10 million viewers in over 2 million homes, representing 39% of TV homes in Malaysia, making it one of the largest multi-channel TV businesses in Asia. It currently offers over 100 TV channels, including 25 Astro-branded channels of original and aggregated content of various genres in multiple languages. Astro is deeply committed to content localisation through subtitles, voiceovers, local talents and programs that will promote Malaysia on Astro's global platform. Reflecting our commitment to local content, Astro increased our in-house production to over 1,700 hours of entertainment, information and news programmes in 2007. The service also provides a range of interactive TV content and services.

Astro is the trademark of Measat Broadcast Network Systems, a subsidiary of ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORK plc. The Group operates out of the All Asia Broadcast Centre, a fully-integrated digital broadcast and production complex in Kuala Lumpur.

For more information, please visit www.astro.com.my

For more information, please contact:

National Geographic Channel Asia (Singapore)
Basil Chua / Esther Ng
Tel: +65 6325 3848 / +65 6325 3810
Email: basilc@ngcasia.com / estherng@ngcasia.com

National Geographic Channels International (Washington DC)
Cherry Yates/ Victoria Kirker
Tel: +1 202 912 6689/ +1 202 912 3204
Email: cyates@ngs.org / vkirker@ngs.org

National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS)
Subaidah Md. Jop
Tel +603 4108 5722

Astro
Tammy Toh
Head, Communications (MCTV)
Tel: 603 9543 6688 ext 2046
Mobile: +6012 322 5184
Email: tammy_toh@astro.com.my

Issued in Malaysia by:

Arcis Communications Sdn Bhd
Stephen P Francis/ Michele Malini Mahendra
Tel: +603 7805 7133
Email: stephen@arciscommunications.com
Email: michele@arciscommunications.com