WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio Goes Live In Kolkata
Capital of West Bengal, Marks 10th Major Metro Market Launched in India
SILVER
SPRING, Md., Feb. 16, 2006-- WorldSpace
Satellite Radio, (Nasdaq: WRSP), one of the world leaders in satellite-based digital radio services, today announced the launch of subscription service in Kolkata, the capital of India's West Bengal state and the second largest city in the country. Kolkata has a population of over 11 million, including approximately six million consumers who fall into WORLDSPACE's targeted listener base. This key market is the tenth city to be serviced by WORLDSPACE in India, expanding the company's distribution on the subcontinent to nearly 63 million people, including nearly 35 million from the top three economic segments.
To ensure the service is readily accessible to subscribers in the state of West Bengal, WORLDSPACE satellite radios are available in over 25 retail outlets there, with more expected by the end of the quarter.
Andy Ras-Work, Chief Operating Officer, WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio, said, "WORLDSPACE has now launched in the top 10 markets of India, and we are pleased that our service offering is now available to listeners from all over the country. Subscribers can get more channels and more variety at home and in the workplace -- music, news and entertainment that they want, whenever they want it."
WORLDSPACE provides over 40 channels of digital quality programming to the subcontinent of India, spanning a wide range of musical genres, news, sports and information. Its Indian programming includes two Indian classical channels -- Shruti (Carnatic) and Gandharv (Hindustani), as well as regional Indian channels -- Tara (Bengali), which is of particular interest to the Kolkata market, plus KL Radio (Tamil), Sparsha (Kannada), RM Radio (Malayalam), Spandana (Telugu) and Tunak Punjabi (Punjabi). These services and more are now available to subscribers in Kolkata 24 hours a day, seven days a week -- commercial free.
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 in its coverage area. 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.
The company's Indian headquarters is located in the southern city of Bangalore, the capital of the state of Karnataka.
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