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Satellite
& Cable
June
11, 2003
NDS reports increased revenues, new wins in Q3
UNITED KINGDOM -- NDS Group plc. has reported increased
revenues and new platform wins for Q3 ending 31 March
2003. Revenues for the quarter ended 31 March 2003 were
£64.6 million, a 7 percent increase from £60.1
million in the same quarter of the previous financial
year. For the nine-month period, revenues increased
by 5 percent to £184.1 million from £175.8
million. Conditional access revenues were £41.9
million for the quarter, compared to £33.3 million
for the same period last year. For the nine-month period,
conditional access revenues were £115.1 million,
compared to £83.4 million. The increase was due
to significant the shipments of smart cards for DirecTV.
Revenues
from new technologies amounted to £9.0 million
in the quarter and £23.0 million for the nine-month
period, compared to £8.5 million and £26.8
million, respectively, for the equivalent periods of
the previous financial year. During this quarter, NDS
earned significant revenues from licenses and system
enhancements relating to its OpenBet software from customers
in the UK and Asia. NDS also earned initial revenues
under a new three-year contract with BSkyB, who are
using OpenBet to support its interactive betting and
gaming applications.
NDS
will provide VideoGuard conditional access to Modern
Times Group's DTH platform, Viasat. Viasat's digital
pay-TV platform covers the Nordic region in Sweden,
Norway, Denmark and Finland. Next, Sky Italia selected
it as the key technology provider for the merged Stream-Telepiù
platform in Italy. Australia's FOXTEL also selected
NDS as a prime integrator and provider of key digital
technology solutions for full digital service.
BSkyB
selected Orbis to develop its SkyBet gaming and betting
applications. Orbis already supplies an interactive
betting solution to BSkyB to power its online betting
service. NDS Visionik also delivered the first interactive
TV game to MTV. The number of total active NDS's smart
cards stands at 32.6mn. This quarter witnessed nearly
9mn new shipments, including the start of the BSkyB
changeover.
Commenting
on NDS's performance, Dr. Abe Peled, president and CEO,
said: "NDS has completed a very satisfying quarter
with increased revenues and new platform wins. Even
with the continued challenging market conditions, NDS
has won a new platform in Europe, Viasat, and has established
a strong stake in the Australian market with FOXTEL.
We are also working on an aggressive schedule to meet
the challenges of Italy's new combined satellite platform,
Sky Italia."
Rick
Medlock, CFO, added: "NDS continues to weather
the tough market conditions, reporting growth in revenues
and continuing excellent profitability. Our business
model is built around long term relationships with leading
pay-TV operators, and the three contracts with Viasat,
FOXTEL and Sky Italia further broadens our customer
base and provide excellent opportunities for the future."
Contact:
NDS Group plc.
Tel: +44-020-8476-8158
Email: mfield@ndsuk.com
Web: www.ndsuk.com
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