Fox Cable Networks and National Geographic Ventures Name David Haslingden CEO, National Geographic Channel; Steve Schiffman Elevated to Acting General Manager

WASHINGTON, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Fox Cable Networks (FCN) and National Geographic Ventures (NGV) announced today the appointment of David Haslingden as CEO of National Geographic Channel US (NGC) and the promotion of Steve Schiffman to acting general manager. NGC is a joint venture between Fox Cable Networks (FCN) and National Geographic Ventures (NGV), a wholly owned taxable subsidiary of the not-for-profit National Geographic Society. These appointments follow the announcement earlier today that NGC founding president Laureen Ong has been named COO of Hong-Kong based STAR, a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation.

Haslingden, currently CEO of National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and Fox International Channels (FIC), will retain those posts as well. As CEO of NGC US, Haslingden will report to NGC's board of directors, which has equal representation from FCN and NGV. Schiffman is being elevated from his current post as EVP of Marketing and Digital Media at NGC, a position he has held since August 2002, and will report to Haslingden.

NGC currently reaches more than 64 million homes in the United States and is carried by every major cable and satellite operator. Ong was NGC's first employee and has spearheaded the network since before it launched in January 2001. Under her guidance, the network reached profitability years ahead of plan and has been an unqualified success across all measures, earning some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the largest audience growth in television. The network is already pacing toward another milestone, as more than a dozen programs will surpass a 1.0 HH rating this quarter alone -- almost as many as in the entire past year

NGC has also seen a great deal of success across the various new digital platforms, including VOD, mobile and broadband. NGC-HD, a high-definition simulcast of NGC, launched in January 2006 and remains the most requested HD network for the last two years, according to national BETA research viewer surveys. NGC also has been embraced by the advertising community, attracting more than 100 new advertisers last year and stellar revenue increases, including a 100% increase during the calendar year upfront season.

Under Haslingden's leadership, NGCI and NGC will continue to operate as distinct entities, with different ownership structures. The goal has always been for NGC to leverage the brand worldwide, and while NGCI and NGC-US already collaborate closely and successfully, Haslingden's dual role will now facilitate that trend. However, NGC will continue to pursue domestic strategies and tailor content to U.S. audiences.

NGCI has become the preferred destination for factual entertainment viewers across the world, expanding from just four countries since launching in 1997 to 163 countries in 2007. The Channel is currently available in 230 million homes, in 27 languages and has 29 regional offices around the globe. Capitalizing on its tremendous growth, NGCI has launched three other channels under the NGCI umbrella -- NGC HD, Nat Geo Wild and A1. These channels offer continued opportunities for NGCI to provide high-quality and innovative programming to viewers while broadening the reach of the National Geographic brand around the world.

"Laureen has done an outstanding job, and NGC has quickly blossomed into one of the jewels within Fox Cable Network's portfolio. At the same time, David has grown NGCI into a global powerhouse while demonstrating true appreciation of the brand and the unique resources it represents," commented Tony Vinciquerra, president and CEO Fox Networks Group. "David's experience and expert guidance will increase growth potential for our networks in the U.S. and international markets, and realize further increases in efficiencies, synergies and strategic alignment."

John Fahey, president of the National Geographic Society, said, "I am delighted that we have a leader of David Haslingden's caliber to guide the National Geographic Channel on a worldwide basis. He will build on the phenomenal success Laureen Ong realized in the United States and will ensure that National Geographic brings the highest-quality programming meant to inspire people worldwide to care about the planet."

"NGC has been a tremendous success and continues to gain traction. Steve's appointment not only reflects his significant contributions to this success, but will allow for seamless continuity as we move into the future," said Haslingden. "It is both an honor for me, and a responsibility that I take very seriously, to be given the reins to an organization that is already firing on all cylinders and has garnered such impressive results across all aspects of its business."

Haslingden joined NGCI as CEO in December 1999 and was appointed CEO of Fox International Channels (FIC) in October 2001. With these positions he is responsible for NGCI's channels in Europe, Asia, India, Australia, the Middle East, Canada, Latin America and Africa. He is also responsible for FOX Channels in all international territories. Prior to joining NGCI, Mr. Haslingden served as executive vice president of STAR, News Corporation's multichannel satellite television network across Asia, the Indian sub- continent and the Middle East.

Schiffman has more than 20 years of experience in cable and satellite television, building global brands and businesses for diverse world-class franchises such as The Weather Channel, NASCAR and Kraft. During his almost five years at NGC, Schiffman has spearheaded all marketing and digital media, brand management, communications, business development and research efforts. Schiffman is actively involved in the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM), having served as chairman of the Mark Awards and a member of the CTAM Summit Planning Committee. Before joining NGC, Schiffman was executive vice president of marketing for The Weather Channel in Atlanta, and prior to that was vice president of strategic marketing at NASCAR.

For complete bios and photos, please visit http://www.ngcpr.com/. About National Geographic Channel

Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN). Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD, which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high-definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available to 64 million homes. For more information, please visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel.

About National Geographic Channels International

National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) invites viewers to rethink the way they see television -- and the world -- with smart, innovative programming. National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) is a business enterprise owned by National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and FOX Entertainment Group. In the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, BSKYB is also a shareholder in the Channel. NGCI contributes to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in over 230 million homes (including day-part households) in 163 countries and 27 languages.

About Fox Cable Networks

Fox Cable Networks (FCN), a unit of the Fox Networks Group, a wholly owned division of News Corporation , includes more than 30 domestic programming services in which News Corporation holds interests. These networks collectively service more than 400 million television homes and represent one of the media industry's largest and most diverse groups of programming operations. FCN networks include FX, FSN and its 18 owned-and-operated regional sports networks; National Geographic Channel; National Geographic Channel HD; SPEED; FUEL TV; Fox College Sports; Fox Soccer Channel; Fox Sports en Espanol; Fox Movie Channel, Fox Reality and the Big Ten Network. FCN also includes Fox Sports Enterprises, which manages interests in sports franchises and leading statistical information provider STATS, LLC.

About National Geographic Ventures

National Geographic Ventures (NGV) is a wholly owned, taxable subsidiary of National Geographic Society, one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the National Geographic Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. NGV includes National Geographic Television (NGT) production and distribution, National Geographic Television International, National Geographic Films and National Geographic Giant Screen Films, Kids Entertainment, National Geographic Home Entertainment, Digital Media including Digital Motion (formerly the Film Library) and Nationalgeographic.com, as well as National Geographic Maps. NGV creates and distributes content across multi-platforms and media that provide outlets for the hundreds of scientific and expedition-based grants awarded each year. For more information, go to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Russell Howard, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6652, RHoward@natgeochannel.com Thomas Tyrer, Fox Networks Group, 310-369-0008, Thomas.Tyrer@foxcable.com Chris Albert, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6526, CAlbert@natgeochannel.com Nord Wennerstrom, The Fratelli Group, 202-496-2124, NWennerstrom@fratelli.com Photos: Matthew Royse, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6707, MRoyse@natgeochannel.com