Global Crossing, Setanta Sports and MEASAT Satellite Systems Bring New 24 Hour Sports Channel to Asia

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of rugby enthusiasts across Asia now can enjoy 24-hour programming through a new sports channel offered by Setanta Sports and delivered by Global Crossing (Nasdaq: GLBC) Genesis Solutions and MEASAT Satellite Systems ('MEASAT').  Setanta Sports is using Global Crossing Genesis Solutions' high-performance IP network from Dublin, Ireland to the MEASAT Teleport and Broadcast Centre in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, where the signal is then uplinked to the MEASAT-3a satellite, co-located with MEASAT-3 at the orbital hot slot of 91.5 degrees E.  MEASAT is a satellite operator providing premium satellite communication services to the Asia-Pacific region.

This new programming relationship expands the longstanding association between Setanta and Global Crossing Genesis Solutions, which currently supports Setanta's programming in Canada and Australia.  MEASAT is the satellite provider working with Global Crossing Genesis Solutions to help make this hybrid transmission model possible.

"Setanta Sports programming now is available in close to five million homes across Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong since our launch in January," said Roger Hall, managing director, international, Setanta Sports.  "With the support of Global Crossing Genesis Solutions and MEASAT, we plan to expand across the Asia region.  These additional markets have the potential to place us in 330 million homes and therefore represent a major growth opportunity for Setanta."

Global Crossing Genesis Solutions is providing Setanta Sports with a hybrid transmission model of fully managed solutions delivered over an IP network that is linked with MEASAT.  In addition, the Global Crossing Genesis Solutions Network Operations Center is providing 24x7 technical support and monitoring services.

"Global Crossing created a custom-tailored solution to seamlessly accommodate the unique and burgeoning requirements of Setanta Sports," said Paul Parente, vice president, Major Account Sales, Global Crossing Genesis Solutions.  "By using our purpose-built IP solutions, we helped them satisfy a vital business need to expand into a new and virtually untapped market, and delivered on our commitment to a longstanding and trusted broadcasting collaborator."

"We are delighted to be working with Global Crossing Genesis Solutions to bring Setanta Sports to Asia Pacific," said Jarod Lopez, MEASAT's director of sales, broadcast services.  "Setanta Sports joins eight other sports channels on the MEASAT-3/3a video neighborhood providing a compelling location for quality sports content in the region."

MEASAT's strong video neighborhood at 91.5E offers a wide array of Standard-and High-Definition channels to Asia Pacific.  Currently with 16 High-Definition channels on its platform, MEASAT has the fastest growing High-Definition neighborhood in the region.

Global Crossing Genesis Solutions is an innovator in high-performance, rich-media and video-based solutions serving the world's major broadcasters, producers and aggregators of specialized programming.  As a leader in the broadcast video over IP solutions market, this unit of Global Crossing employs a purpose-built network.  Global Crossing Genesis Solutions' global customer base comprises some of the most recognizable broadcast and program distributors in the world, including leading sports networks, news broadcasters, sports rights holders, news agencies and international broadcasters.  It also has provided media-centric services for numerous sporting and special events.

To learn more about Global Crossing Genesis Solutions, please visit http://www.globalcrossing.com/genesis/genesis_landing.aspx.      

ABOUT SETANTA SPORTS

Setanta Sports is a leading international sports broadcaster with operations in Ireland, UK, Canada, Australia, Africa and Asia.  Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland the company provides top quality live sports coverage on its range of TV, online and mobile service around the world.  This includes the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, the Heineken Cup, the Aviva Premiership, the NRL, the RBS Six Nations, the Tri-Nations and Super Rugby.

ABOUT MEASAT

MEASAT is a premium supplier of satellite communication services to Asia's leading broadcasters, DTH platforms and telecom operators.  Operating four communications satellites, the MEASAT fleet is able to provide satellite capacity to over 145 countries representing 80% of the world's population across Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Australia.  With the state of art MEASAT-3a satellite located at the Company's key orbital slot at 91.5 degrees E, the MEASAT fleet has a total of 100 transponders across four satellites.

Leveraging facilities at the MEASAT Teleport and Broadcast Centre, and working with a select group of world-class partners, MEASAT also provides a complete range of broadcast and telecommunications services including high definition and standard definition video playout, video turnaround, co-location, uplinking and IP termination services.

For more information, please visit www.measat.com.

ABOUT GLOBAL CROSSING

Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBC) is a leading global IP, Ethernet, data center and video solutions provider with the world's first integrated global IP-based network.  The company offers a full range of data, voice, collaboration, broadcast and media services delivered with superior customer service.  

Global Crossing provides services to enterprises (including approximately 40 percent of the Fortune 500); government departments and agencies; and 700 carriers, mobile operators and ISPs.  It delivers converged IP services to more than 700 cities in more than 70 countries, and has 17 world-class data centers in major business centers around the globe.

Please visit www.globalcrossing.com for more information about Global Crossing.

Statements in this press release about expected future events and financial results are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including risks referenced from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Global Crossing undertakes no duty to update information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.

CONTACT GLOBAL CROSSING:
Press Contacts
Allyce Hackmann
+ 1 973 937 0212
[email protected]

Paula Vivo
Latin America
+ 55 11 3957 2424
[email protected]

Michael Schneider
UK and Europe
+44 1270 534204
[email protected]

Analysts/Investors Contact
Mark Gottlieb
+ 1 800 836 0342
[email protected]

GEN/PR1

SOURCE Global Crossing

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