OPTUSTV GIVES MORE TO CONSUMERS

Competition, choice and value are the new words in pay television as Optus delivers the winning package for Australian consumers.

Martin Dalgleish, Managing Director Optus Consumer and Multimedia division, said Optus had shaken up Australian pay television with a new line up, a new look and a better deal for consumers.

"With the addition of 17 new channels, we are now very excited to introduce Australian consumers to our best ever channel line up, with new pricing plans, a fresh look and a new name - OptusTV," Mr Dalgleish said.

Subscribers to the new OptusTV basic package, the Entertainment Package, will receive 36 channels including six free-to-air (includes the digital free-to-air channel, ABC for Kids), for only $39.95 per month.

"This is the largest and most comprehensive entry level payTV offering in Australia. For an average family, a night out to the movies can cost close to $50 - for one movie! For much less, your family can now enjoy a months' worth of viewing from an enormous selection of 36 entertainment, sport, documentary, educational, children, news and current affairs channels," Mr Dalgleish said.

Optus will continue to offer its Movie tier customers premium content via the Movie Network channels (Movie One, Movie Extra, Movie Greats). In addition, for the first time ever, Optus is also able to offer consumers who purchase the new Mega Movie package access to the Showtime movie channels (Showtime 1, Showtime 2 and Encore).

"With access to 51 payTV channels, including established brands such as Fox Sports, MTV, Disney, Fox 8, Sky News, National Geographic and the Movie Network, we are now able to cater to all tastes and preferences."

In addition to superior value in payTV, Optus offers its consumers the opportunity to bundle their payTV service with telephony and internet products. Customers who bundle payTV with telephony can receive up to 100 free local calls each month on the 15 cent local call plan.

By adding Optus' award winning broadband service, OptusNet Cable, customers will receive an additional discount of $10.00 to $40.00 off their monthly broadband subscription rate depending on the plan they choose.

"With OptusTV the consumer gets more - more choice, more channels and more value," Mr Dalgleish said.

Notes to Editor:

OptusTV:

• 17 additional channels, 57 channels in total, includes six free-to-air channels.
• Eight new channels for the 36 channel basic Entertainment Package for only $39.95 per month.
• The Entertainment Package has been carefully selected to provide a mix of education, news and current affairs, sport, children's programming, movies and documentary channels.
• Four additional tiers are available to provide premium-viewing packages based on customers' particular interests.

OptusTV bundled products:

• Telephony
  • With $25 monthly phone line rental, customers get:
  • 100 Free local calls every month;
  • 15 cents per local call;
  • Free call-divert, call waiting, three-way calling and call return;
  • Single bill for local and long distance calls;
  • Keep their existing phone number (in most cases); and
  • Choice of three long distance FreeTime plans: 20 minutes, one hour or three hours.
• Dial-up internet
  • Reliable internet access with 24 hours a day, seven days a week technical support.
  • Choice of plans to suit your needs - reduced internet access fees on all packages.
  • Five FREE email addresses.
  • Five megabytes of webspace.
  • Unlimited downloads with NetRollover or unlimited access hours with the NetAllHours plans.
  • 100 bonus hours - to use in the first month on NetRollover plans.
  • Automatic rollover of unused hours for up to three months with NetRollover plans.
• Broadband internet
  • Customers who take up payTV with internet services can receive up to $40 off their broadband monthly subscription and discounts on stand-alone installation fees.

For current OptusTV customers:

• Current customers can remain on their existing package until the expiry of their 12-month initial agreement at no extra cost.

Media contact:
Luisa Ford
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 7850