Sydney/Tokyo – Two entertainment channels from NBC Universal Global Networks – 13TH STREET and Children’s KidsCo will launch on Australian subscription television platforms from midnight, 15 November 2009. The announcement was made by Raymund Miranda, managing director of NBC Universal Global Networks Asia Pacific. 13TH STREET and KidsCo (a joint venture channel by NBC Universal, Cookie Jar Group and Corus Entertainment Inc) will join Hallmark Channel on the FOXTEL and AUSTAR platforms. Their presence will significantly expand NBC Universal Global Networks’ bouquet of channels in Australia while adding another of its global channel brands to the Asia Pacific region. These moves are part of the continued channels expansion in the region and are central to the company’s objective, led by Roma Khanna, president of global networks & digital initiatives, to grow to over 100 channels internationally by 2010. Khanna commented, “We remain committed to expanding our presence in this growth region and are thrilled to be building on our partnerships in Australia. We are very excited to begin delivering a strong local version of our globally successful 13TH STREET brand to Australian audiences.” With franchises from the US, UK, Canada and Australia, the world of 13TH STREET include murder mysteries and criminal brain teasers to suit every crime fan. The channel will be locally managed and produced by the NBCU Global Networks Sydney team led by Roslyn Jones, channel director for Australasia. KidsCo is a children’s entertainment channel for boys and girls 6-10, and pre-schoolers, showcasing the best animated/live-action programming from global content partners. In addition, NBC Universal Global Networks Asia Pacific announced the launch of its first HD channel in the Asia Pacific region. SCI FI HD will be launching in October on Japanese DTH platform SkyPerfect. SCI FI HD follows the launch of SCI FI into the Japanese market in April 2008. Since its initial launch, which made way for the channel presence in 10 other markets across the Asia Pacific region, SCI FI now reaches over 2.5 million Japanese households through carriage agreements with various leading operators in Japan.