DUBAI, UAE and STAMFORD, CONN., March 24, 2015
Beginning today, WWE Network will be available in the Middle East and North Africa exclusively through OSN, the leading pay-TV network in the region, as a premium, linear channel co-branded as OSN WWE Network HD. The launch of the channel, included in OSN's Platinum HD package, comes just before WWE's biggest event of the year, WrestleMania®, which airs live on Monday, March 30, at 3am GST.
OSN WWE Network HD offers one-of-a-kind programming including all 12 WWE pay-per-view events live at no additional charge, groundbreaking original series, including Legends' House and Monday Night War® and reality shows including Total Divas™. Additional programming includes documentaries, classic matches and exclusive coverage of special events.
"OSN has a long-standing relationship with WWE, and we are now expanding that relationship further by launching OSN WWE Network HD exclusively in the region," said Andy Warkman, OSN Vice President, Sport and Production. "This is great news for WWE fans in the Middle East and North Africa."
"As WWE's popularity continues to soar, we have expanded our footprint in the region, adding more live events, television programming and now, OSN WWE Network HD," said Gerrit Meier, WWE Executive Vice President, International. "WWE is committed to growing our brand globally and bringing the WWE experience to our many passionate fans around the world."
The all-new OSN WWE Network HD channel will be available free of charge beginning today through Sunday, March 29, via OSN. On Monday, March 30, subscribers to the OSN Platinum HD package will automatically receive the channel. Non-Platinum HD package subscribers will have the option to upgrade to the package to enjoy the channel, or they can select it as an add-on for only US$9.99 per month. In addition, all subscribers to OSN WWE Network HD will have access to special WWE video-on-demand programming in their OSN Plus HD Box.
-Ends-
About OSN:
OSN is the ultimate destination for the widest choice of brand new premium Western, Arabic, South Asian (Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Malayalam and Tamil) and Filipino entertainment in the Middle East and Africa.
OSN is the home to over 145 channels and services filled with great value entertainment, offering viewers in the MENA region exclusive access to the latest blockbuster movies, top rated series, sports, documentaries, news, kid's entertainment and live talk shows. The movie offering includes over a 100 uncut and uninterrupted movie premieres a month.
OSN boasts the most comprehensive portfolio of exclusive rights from all the major studios including Warner Brothers, Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, MGM, NBC Universal, HBO and DreamWorks and offers access to the world's leading television brands including Disney channel, Sky News, Discovery Network and National Geographic.
Launched in August 2013, OSN Pehla brings the best of Bollywood movies and premium cricket, including exclusive telecast rights of international tournaments such as the ICC Cricket World Cup and Indian cricket, through leading sports channels OSN Sports Cricket HD and Ten Cricket.
As the leader in innovation, OSN has changed the TV viewing experience by bringing quality entertainment through 59 High Definition channels and is currently the only network offering a full HD bouquet of channels as well as 3D entertainment in the region.
OSN was the first to launch the OSN DVR HD; the regions first online TV platform, OSN Play; the regions first 3D, HD, internet enabled satellite receiver and recorder, OSN Plus HD and the region's first VOD service, OSN on Demand offering viewers the opportunity to watch over 1000 movies and 52 latest seasons of the top series, all available in full HD quality and Dolby Digital sound.
September 2012 saw the launch of OSN's rewards programme, OSN Privileges, offering subscribers money can't buy experiences, special offers and premium prizes all year round.
Addressing the changing viewing habits of consumers across the region, in May 2014, OSN launched 'Go by OSN', a premium online TV service providing subscribers access to thousands of hours of premium entertainment, contract and commitment-free.
The OSN platform is owned and operated by Panther Media Group Limited; a company registered in DIFC, and is owned by KIPCO and Mawarid Group Limited.
Media Contact
Zahabia Motiwala
Communications Manager, OSN
Dubai Media City, Dubai, UAE
+971 (0) 4 367 7084
zahabia.motiwala@osn.com
Nivine William
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Dubai
+971 (0) 4 450 7600
nivine.william@bm.com
About WWE:
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide in 35 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all 12 live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 170 countries. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Media Contact
Tara Carraro
203-352-8625
Tara.Carraro@wwecorp.com
Investor Contact
Michael Weitz
203-352-8642
Michael.Weitz@wwecorp.com
Trademarks:
All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to: WWE Network; major distribution agreements; our need to continue to develop creative and entertaining programs and events; a decline in the popularity of our brand of sports entertainment; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent K. McMahon; possible adverse changes in the regulatory atmosphere and related private sector initiatives; the highly competitive, rapidly changing and increasingly fragmented nature of the markets in which we operate and greater financial resources or marketplace presence of many of our competitors; uncertainties associated with international markets; our difficulty or inability to promote and conduct our live events and/or other businesses if we do not comply with applicable regulations; our dependence on our intellectual property rights, our need to protect those rights, and the risks of our infringement of others' intellectual property rights; the complexity of our rights agreements across distribution mechanisms and geographical areas; potential substantial liability in the event of accidents or injuries occurring during our physically demanding events including, without limitation, claims relating to CTE; large public events as well as travel to and from such events; our feature film business; our expansion into new or complementary businesses and/or strategic investments; our computer systems and online operations; a possible decline in general economic conditions and disruption in financial markets; our accounts receivable; our revolving credit facility; litigation; our potential failure to meet market expectations for our financial performance, which could adversely affect our stock; Vincent K. McMahon exercising control over our affairs, and his interests may conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock; a substantial number of shares which are eligible for sale by the McMahons and the sale, or the perception of possible sales, of those shares could lower our stock price; and the relatively small public "float" of our Class A common stock. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends (including under our revolving credit facility), general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. Forward-looking statements made by the Company speak only as of the date made, are subject to change without any obligation on the part of the Company to update or revise them, and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements.
© Press Release 2015
