JAKARTA, 14 October 2011 : First Media, a leading broadband and cable TV provider prides itself in constantly bringing new and value added services to enhance the digital lifestyle of the modern Indonesian.

After successfully presenting High-Definition ( HD ) entertainment for the first time last year, First Media through HomeCable now unveils its Video On Demand ( VOD ) called SHOWTIME, which is consistent with the vision of First Media, Empowering You!

With SHOWTIME, the customers can enjoy the best of international, regional and local content anytime. It's like having their own personal video library to choose from. Showtime empowers the customer to enjoy the movie experience sitting right at home with family and friends. So just by selecting the movie you want to watch and play! No longer wait for the TV schedules, it's all in their control!

"As a provider that understands the needs of consumers towards the digital era, both in terms of lifestyle, entertainment, education, and connectivity, we are always working to provide various means and facilities for the market to meet the needs of digital living. VOD is one of our efforts to provide the extraordinary experience for customers," said Hengkie Liwanto, CEO PT Link Net.

"We are in the golden age of the entertainment era, With customers hectic schedule you may sometimes miss your favorite movies or series. SHOWTIME is the perfect viable solution for First Media customers to access and share the entertainment experience. SHOWITME endeavors to meet the needs and expectations of today's tech savvy and interactive consumers", added Hengkie

SHOWTIME: The 4C Concept: Convenience | Content | Control | Choice

Convenience: The all in one set-top-box: HOME BOX HD+ allows you to enjoy SD, HD, and VOD services with Dolby Stereo Surround Sound 5.1. Experience superior digital audio/video theatre-like quality right at home!

Content: Showtime partners with HBO on Demand to bring you the best of HBO international movies and series. Enjoy over 100 hours of HBO On Demand content monthly. SHOWTIME will also bring in more popular international, regional and local content with other partners. The content will be refreshed periodically and will also be available with subtitles in Indonesian and other languages. This is just the beginning!

Control: Enjoy watching your favourite movies and series with full control. Now you can Rewind |Forward | Pause | Play your movie at anytime.

Choice: You will be spoilt for choice with SHOWTIME. Watch what you want, when you want! You no longer have to wait in long queue to buy a movie ticket, it's you personal video library at home. You will have the flexibility to choose from monthly subscriptions or pay per movie in future.

DIGITIZATION KEY TO FUTURE PROSPERITY

According to Asia Pacific Pay-TV & Broadband Markets 2011, a new report published by leading industry analysts Media Partners Asia (MPA). Renewed economic dynamism and multi-platform competition are fueling the consumption of pay-TV and broadband in Asia Pacific. The number of homes subscribing to digital pay-TV services, including multiple subscriptions, reached 148 million in 2010.

The number of homes subscribing to digital pay-TV services is expected to reach 362 million by 2015 and 483 million by 2020, driven by digitization of millions of homes in China and India as well as full-scale digital . This means that digital penetration of pay-TV homes will grow from 20% in 2010 to 42% by 2015, and 52% by 2020.

The market will need an interactive TV , as well as value added services such as high definition (HD), content, video-on-demand (VOD) and another digital development needs in the future.

HD penetration of digital pay-TV subs across the region reached almost 30% in 2010 and is likely to grow to approximately 60% by 2020

" This digitization will shaping the market expectations as they increasingly look for rich entertainment options that allow them to interact and socialize rather than simply sit back and observe. The home entertainment landscape is undergoing rapid change. With so many households now with HDTVs and home theater systems, people are looking for new ways to enjoy quality entertainment, at home" said Hengkie. The timing is perfect , SHOWTIME enables our customers to have a new ways experiences and poised them to benefit of technological change. SHOW TIME is a form of appreciation to our customers.

VOD is considered as the best choice of pay-TV for consumers in the Country today. One of the reasons is that FM has been using fiber optics to deliver services, which provide stability and speed of access. The quality of picture and sound presented also becomes more 'real' in the presence of such steady speed.

Another reason is that consumers get service integration, namely cable TV as well as high speed internet access. Thus, consumers do not have to bother to subscribe to separate services from multiple providers. Simply subscribeing to FM, all digital entertainment needs are met. Consumers may also choose the package of entertainment and internet in accordance with the needs and abilities. 3 Mbps is the ideal speed access to anticipate the growing need of digital access according to First Media.

SHOWTIME INTRODUCTORY :

SHOWTIME offers VOD experience for free on a trial basis for 3 months to all HBO Pack subscribers. The customers will get to enjoy and trial the HBO On Demand and some regional and local content.

As the first step, FM launches it's SHOWTIME service in Pakubuwono Residents, one of the premium apartments in Jakarta. The apartment residents will become the first customers in Indonesia to enjoy the sensation of VOD, HD and Dolby Stereo from First Media. "First Media is happy to present the first SHOWTIME to the apartment residents and brings the digital world closer to their life " said Hengkie.