BBC SELECTS SIS AS PREFERRED BIDDER FOR OUTSIDE BROADCASTS

07 March 2008 - Satellite Information Services Ltd (SIS) is delighted to have been selected as the preferred bidder for the Outside Broadcasts division of BBC Resources Ltd.

The BBC announced today that SIS has been chosen following a rigorous evaluation process, which examined bids from financial and industry buyers. The BBC will transfer the staff and business to SIS later this year, including the fleet of television production units, plus sound, support and communications vehicles and award-winning special cameras. The transfer would mean that SIS will be covering major sporting events including the Beijing Olympics for BBC television in August.

This brings together the largest OB provider in the UK with the operator of the biggest satellite uplink fleet in Europe and follows the announcement last week of the strategic alliance between SISLink, the broadcasting division of SIS, and Intelsat, the leading provider of fixed satellite services worldwide, which enabled SIS to gain access for the first time to the USA.

SIS is now the foremost supplier of television programming and data services to the UK and Irish betting industry, and also has long-term contracts with other leading broadcasters such as Sky and ITV, to provide live coverage of news and sport, including Formula One motor racing, Champions League and the Rugby World Cup.

The acquisition of BBC Outside Broadcast division gives SIS unparalleled ability to broadcast most of the world’s major sports and news events, as a result of its unmatched commitment to customer care throughout the broadcast industry.

Since its launch in 1987, SIS has long been recognised by the betting industry as the main global provider of pictures and data. This acquisition and the alliance with Intelsat have combined to turn SIS into one of the world’s leading operators in the broadcasting industry.

SIS Chief Executive David Holdgate commented that this was an ideal acquisition for the company. “BBC Outside Broadcasts is a perfect fit with our existing SISLink and sports coverage, and crosses all parts of our business. SISLink markets its services to very much the same customer base. The quality of the BBC’s outside broadcasts is legendary, and we are delighted that SIS will be working with the talented staff that deliver these services and will have its part to play in helping them build on that reputation over the years to come,” he said.

- ends -

For further information please contact
Nick Wood-Dow on 07713 681322
or David Holdgate on 07803 019066
or Jim Campbell on 07921 895195.