Endemol B.V. P.O. Box 678, 1200 AR Hilversum The Netherlands www.endemol.com press release Hilversum, 19 th January 2009 ENDEMOL ACQUIRES SOUTHERN STAR GROUP FROM FAIRFAX MEDIA Australia's largest independent television production and distribution group becomes a fully owned part of Endemol Southern Star is one of the largest distributors of English language television programming in the world, with a library of 14,000 hours Endemol significantly expands its third party distribution business and global scripted activities Endemol, a world leader in entertainment programming, today announced it has acquired 100% of Southern Star Group from Fairfax Media. Southern Star is one of the fastest growing production and distribution companies in the world with a library of over 14,000 hours of content, comprising drama, children’s TV, animation, entertainment and reality formats and factual programmes. Its programming includes representation of global hits Home and Away and City Homicide (Seven Network Australia), McLeod’s Daughters (Nine Network and Millennium Pictures), Wire in the Blood (Coastal Productions), Hi-5 (Hi-5 Operations Pty Limited), the Nine Light Entertainment Catalogue (Nine Network Australia) as well as Seven Network’s latest smash hit series Packed to the Rafters . The Southern Star catalogue includes long running dramas such as Blue Heelers, Water Rats, Secret Life of Us, Love My Way and Blue Water High as well as forthcoming Southern Star productions including the major new action drama series Rush and new for 2009, Rescue and Tangle. The deal incorporates Southern Star International, Southern Star Entertainment and Southern Star’s 49% share in the joint venture company Endemol Southern Star. Southern Star International is currently ranked as one of the largest independent distributors of English language television programming in the world, selling to over 200 countries from offices in Sydney, London and Paris. Southern Star Entertainment is Australia’s largest independent creator and producer of television programming. Endemol Southern Star is the Australian joint venture company behind a major line up of entertainment, reality and lifestyle programming in Australia and New Zealand. Hugh Marks will continue as CEO of Southern Star Group reporting to Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Endemol Group. Endemol Southern Star and Southern Star Entertainment will continue to be headed up by Managing Director Rory Callaghan, reporting to Marco Bassetti, Chief Operating Officer of Endemol Group. Southern Star International will continue to be headed up by CEO Cathy Payne, who will work from London and Sydney, reporting to Tom Toumazis, Endemol’s recently appointed Chief Commercial Officer who formally joined the company at the start of this year. Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Endemol Group, comments: “This acquisition represents a major step forward in achieving three strategic objectives for Endemol. It greatly enhances our position as a major production force in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific; it further builds our global distribution platform, which will now combine both Southern Star International and Endemol's worldwide operations, with one of the industry’s most extensive portfolios of top rating shows; and it accelerates the expansion of our scripted programming activities.” Mr Kreiz added: “We are very pleased to retain Southern Star’s senior management team and are fortunate that this acquisition coincides with the arrival of Tom Toumazis, who will play a key role in the integration of Southern Star International with our existing global distribution activities and in further expanding this core part of our business.” Hugh Marks, CEO of Southern Star Group, comments: “After ten years as joint venture partners we have seen the many benefits that come with being associated with an international entertainment powerhouse like Endemol. The ability to become a major part of Endemol's expansion in international distribution and growth in scripted programming is an ideal opportunity for our business and our people and will enable us to both expand our creative ambitions and provide an even greater level of service to our customers." Endemol international, Endemol’s current global distribution operation, is already one of the largest independent distributors of entertainment programming in the world with a growing library of over 2,000 formats and 5,000 hours of finished programmes covering all genres including entertainment, game shows, reality TV, kids programming, animation, comedy and drama. The transaction between Endemol and Fairfax Media is conditional, amongst other things, on obtaining regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in Q1 2009. Oxford Scientific Films and children's producer Darrall Macqueen, formerly part of the Southern Star Group, have been carved out of the deal and remain under Fairfax Media’s ownership. For more information: Endemol Group Peter Krenn tel: +31 (0) 35 53 994 37 Charlie Gardner tel: +44 (0) 7977 075 643 e-mail: [email protected] Southern Star Group Shannon Becker tel: +61 2 9202 8504 Mb: +61 418 219 733 e-mail: [email protected] ABOUT ENDEMOL Founded in 1994, Endemol is a global leader in entertainment programming, having established itself as the largest independent TV, cross platform and digital production company in the world. The company produces worldwide hits like Big Brother , Deal or No Deal , Extreme Makeover: Home Edition , Star Academy and Wipeout . Endemol comprises a global network of companies that spans 25 countries on five continents including the USA, the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as Latin America, India, South Africa and Australia. Endemol produces premium entertainment for the world's major broadcasters and digital media platforms - including mobile and internet - as well as creating bespoke branded entertainment for the world’s major advertising agencies and brands. The company annually produces approximately 36,000 hours of programming from over 500 different shows in almost 60 countries. Their digital successes include over 300 million online video views – just for Big Brother in 2008. Endemol is also behind numerous award winning original digital productions among many other growing online accomplishments. The company’s creative teams around the world are continuously developing new entertainment properties that are shared across the Endemol network. Endemol currently has a growing library of over 2000 titles covering all genres including entertainment, game shows, reality TV, kids programming, animation, comedy and drama. Endemol was de-listed from Amsterdam Euronext in 2007 and is a privately held company. .