Premiere to Introduce Next Generation Nagravision Smartcards

Premiere smartcard swap with newest Nagravision technology will begin in May 2008; Cooperation between Premiere and Kudelski Group until 2012 confirmed and overall contract value maintained; Premiere has options to renew contract until 2015 and will introduce third party CA in simulcrypt mode

CHESEAUX and MUNICH — The Munich based pay-TV operator Premiere AG and the Kudelski Group (SWX:KUD.VX) confirm that Premiere will continue to secure its pay TV revenues with Nagravision technology. The latest generation of smartcards will be introduced from May 2008 onwards. The parties confirm their cooperation based on a contract running until 2012 and with a renewal option until 2015 for Premiere.

“Premiere has been a client of our Group since 2003 for digital TV solutions and we look forward to continuing our relationship”, said Pierre Roy, EVP of the Kudelski Group and COO Nagravision. He continued: “Our sustainable approach allows our latest Nagravision technology to secure Premiere’s content in the complex German media environment by allowing Premiere to serve its entire installed base of set-top-boxes, including devices introduced before 2000. We will secure a heterogeneous, structurally very challenging platform ranging from legacy equipment to advanced push-VOD applications. Alongside the renewal of our contract on equivalent overall value we also understand our customer’s need, in the current evolving market context, to additionally introduce a third party CA for some of their customers.”

Hans Seger, Chief Programm and Technology Officer of Premiere, said: “We are confident that the new Nagravision smartcards generation will adequately address security gaps. In line with previous announcements we will be starting the swap in the second quarter. Whoever might have bought an illegal device will loose the investment value and should better subscribe to Premiere to watch our programs.”