Panasonic Avionics Signs Five Major Broadcasters to the Panasonic Airline Television Network

Panasonic Avionics Signs Five Major Broadcasters to the Panasonic Airline Television Network

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems, today announced that it has entered into multi-year agreements with five major television news groups to provide live news and information via its proprietary Panasonic Airline Television Network. The licensed news organizations are Al Jazeera, BBC World News, the BLOOMBERG TELEVISION^® network, euronews and France 24. Discussions are ongoing with additional broadcasters with details soon to be announced.

As a component of the Panasonic eXConnect in-flight broadband system, a part of the Panasonic Global Communications Suite, the Panasonic Airline Television Network is a global TV broadcast system designed to provide passengers with live news, information and events wherever the aircraft flies. At its heart is the first worldwide in-flight television distribution system powered by the same Ku based satellite network as the eXConnect service. This Panasonic proprietary network delivers a seamless passenger experience across multiple regions and provides airlines with revenue generation opportunities through advertising insertion and pay-per-view capabilities. The Panasonic Airline Television Network utilizes the same antenna and onboard components as the eXConnect broadband system, minimizing hardware and installation costs to the airlines.

“The Panasonic Airline Television Network will strengthen our customers’ ability to provide the best in-flight entertainment by engaging recognizable, branded content providers that appeal to a wide demographic of passengers,” said Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation. “In addition, Panasonic is excited to work with these global broadcasters as they extend their channels’ distribution to the airborne market.”

The licensing agreements with the five broadcasters range from 3-5 years with flexible terms for extension. “The long-term stability of the Panasonic Airline Television Network from a content perspective is a fundamental strategy at Panasonic Avionics,” Margis said. “Our goal is to provide our customers with a compelling offering within the Panasonic Global Communications Suite. Therefore, we have structured the Panasonic Airline Television Network with the ability to add channels on a global or regional basis, depending on our customers’ specific requirements and business needs.”

As a standalone system or integrated into existing in-flight entertainment systems, the Panasonic Global Communications Suite enables personal connectivity through the following components:

• eXConnect in-flight wireless high-speed broadband Internet and data services that provide access to live and cached content for passengers and operational information for the flight crew
• eXPhone in-flight mobile phone service using the passenger’s own GSM phone
• Panasonic Airline Television Network in-flight global access to live broadcast television

For more information, please visit our booth located in Hall B6 #6F25.

About Panasonic Avionics Corporation

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world's leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems. The company’s best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling airlines to deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, reduced time-to-market and lower overall costs.

Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC). Headquartered in Lake Forest, California, with over 3,100 employees and operations in 80 locations worldwide, it serves over 200 customers worldwide and provides IFEC systems on over 3,700 aircraft. For additional information, please visit www.panasonic.aero .

About Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera started out over twelve years ago to providing comprehensive, independent television news and live debate for the Arab world.

Providing a voice to the voiceless and putting real people back at the center of the news agenda, Al Jazeera has been credited with revolutionizing the broadcast industry in the Arab world. Today, the channel that sent waves through the Arab world has become a global brand recognized around the world.

The Al Jazeera Satellite Channel has an estimated peak audience of over 50 million viewers and has been ranked by brandchannel.com as the most recognizable and influential news brand globally. With more than 40 bureaus and dozens of correspondents covering events around the world, and the freedom to operate with complete editorial independence, Al Jazeera has given millions of people a refreshing, impartial take on the events that affect their lives.

In addition to news and current affairs, the Al Jazeera Satellite Channel has a variety of live, interactive talk shows, including the Opposite Direction , Without Borders , More Than One Opinion , From Washington and Open Dialog , which give Arab audiences a unique opportunity to provide their personal insights and comments on the issues that matter to them.

About BBC World News

BBC World News, the BBC's commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World News Ltd, a member of the BBC’s commercial group of companies. BBC World News attracts 78 million viewers a week, is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 287 million households and close to 1.7 million hotel rooms. The channel's content is also available on 80 cruise ships, 43 airlines, 36 mobile phone networks and a number of major online platforms including bbc.com/news . For further information visit bbcworldnews.com .

About the BLOOMBERG TELEVISION® Network

The BLOOMBERG TELEVISION® 24-hour network broadcasts to more than 200 million homes worldwide. BLOOMBERG TELEVISION programming is created exclusively by Bloomberg news professionals in more than 140 bureaus. The dynamic BLOOMBERG TELEVISION screen adds depth and context to on-air reports, providing viewers with interactive charts, breaking news, market prices and indexes in real time gleaned from the news, data and analytic tools of the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL® service.

About euronews

Launched in January 1993 euronews covers world affairs from a European perspective. euronews is broadcast 24 hours a day, simultaneously in eight languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.

euronews presents a complete news bulletin every half hour, followed by in-depth programmes business, Europe, sport, a review of press headlines from Europe’s major dailies, and the weather forecast.

euronews ’ feature programmes cover a wide range of topics including science, cinema, fashion, new technologies, and space.

euronews is broadcast all over the world, reaching 253 million households in 142 countries by cable, digital satellite and terrestrial distribution. The channel is also available on mobile operators (3G, VOD), on ADSL/High Speed Internet networks, and live on board the aircraft of international airlines. Viewers can watch euronews on their PDAs and live on the Internet in Europe on RealNetworks Superpass. euronews and no comment TV are also available on YouTube and Dailymotion.

euronews is the most-watched international news channel in Europe: every day, 2.8 million Europeans watch euronews on cable and satellite, while another 3.6 million watch on terrestrial channels (Source: euronews/Telmar Peaktime©, evaluation system based on viewers audience, 4^th quarter 2008).

About FRANCE 24

FRANCE 24 is the French international news channel that offers a French perspective and sensibility on world events. It broadcasts on a 24/7 basis on three channels, in French, English and Arabic, in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and on the east coast of the US. FRANCE 24 can be accessed by cable, satellite, DSL and on mobile. The website www.france24.com is available in three languages (English, French, Arabic).

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Contact:

Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Theresa Yeoh
Tel: 1-949-462-1730
theresa.yeoh@panasonic.aero