STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 4, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Modern Times Group MTG AB (Nasdaq:MTGNY), the international media group, today announced that Viasat has extended its exclusive rights to broadcast the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) World Championships and Division 1 Ice Hockey until 2007. Under the terms of the extended agreement with KirchSport AG, the exclusive television and marketing partner for the IIHF, Viasat will continue to cover the matches on its TV3, 3+ and Viasat Sport channels in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Viasat digital TV coverage will be broadcast 24 hours a day, enabling sports fans to follow the progress of the national teams on the TV3, 3+ and Viasat Sport channels as well as three dedicated Hockey Xtra channels.
Hans-Holger Albrecht, President and CEO of MTG, commented: "Viasat consistently offers viewers the most entertaining TV available, including exclusive coverage of leading sports events. The extension of our exclusive rights to the Ice Hockey World Championships, which we have held for 12 years, continues this tradition. TV3 coverage of this year's World Championship generated a record commercial share of viewing of 32.3% for TV3 in Sweden. TV3 will be the host broadcaster of the championships in 2006, when they are held in Latvia."
Modern Times Group, MTG AB has six business areas: Viasat Broadcasting (Free-to-air and pay-TV channels in nine countries, and the new media businesses -- teletext operations and the Everyday interactive TV, internet and mobile portals), Radio (local and national networks in five countries), Publishing (financial news and information services), Modern Interactive (home shopping, e-commerce and logistics), SDI Media (subtitling and dubbing services), and Modern Studios (content production and rights library).
Modern Times Group MTG AB's class A and B shares are listed on the Stockholmsborsen O-list (symbols: MTGA and MTGB) and ADRs are listed on the NASDAQ National Market (symbol: MTGNY).
This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net
The following files are available for download:
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/10/04/20021004BIT00700/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/10/04/20021004BIT00700/wkr0002.pdf