MIH
Limited
MIH Limited welcomes new
shareholders to NetMed NV
The Netherlands, Amsterdam, 6 December 2000 - MIH Limited (NASDAQ & AEX: MIHL)
the international television, Internet and interactive technology group, today
welcomes two new shareholders into NetMed NV ("Netmed"), the group's
Mediterranean television platform. Global Capital part EFG Eurobank (Latsis),
acquired an 11% equity stake in NetMed. Ekdosis Tegopoulos, a media company
listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, acquired approximately 5% of NetMed.
NetMed has been operating in Greece and Cyprus since the early '90s and is the
leading pay television platform in its markets, serving over 375,000
subscribers. In December last year, it launched the first digital platform in
Greece which has experienced excellent growth and now has over 50,000
subscribers. The cash injection from Global and Ekdosis Tegopoulos will be
invested in the ongoing development of the digital platform.
Cobus Stofberg, CEO MIH Limited, commented: "We welcome our new shareholders
into NetMed, both of whom have excellent track records as well as a sound
understanding of the Greek media market. We are glad to work closely with two
companies who share our vision of digital television services in Greece. These
strategic partnerships will be of great benefit to all concerned, especially
our Greek consumers, as NetMed continues to expand and develop its services."
Ends
For further information contact:
Anne Marie Bell
VP Corporate Communications
Tel: +31 23 556 2864
[email protected]
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MIH
Limited
About MIH Limited
The company's activities are focused on three areas:
1) Television platforms:
The Group provides terrestrial and cable analogue, digital satellite and other
pay television services to over 2 million households in Africa, the
Mediterranean and Asia.
2) Technology:
Through Mindport, its technology subsidiary, the Group provides conditional
access, security, provisioning, protection/insurance, commissioning,
Internet/IP technology, content management, customer care and billing and
other related services to channel and platform operators world-wide.
MIH Limited is the controlling shareholder of Silicon Valley based Open TV,
the world's leading interactive television and media solutions company. OpenTV
builds a complete software and infrastructure platform that enables digital
interactive television and brings on-demand content to other digital
communications devices. OpenTV solutions are crafted to meet the needs of all
digital communications networks and include operating middleware, content
applications, content creation tools, professional services expertise and
strategic consulting.
OpenTV software has been shipped with or installed in more than 11 million
digital set-top boxes world-wide and has been selected by 37 digital cable,
satellite and terrestrial Communications Networks in over 50 countries,
3) Internet:
The Group has leading Internet operations in Africa, Thailand and China:
o A 16.8% interest in M-Web Africa. Listed on the Johannesburg Stock
Exchange (JSE), M-Web is the leading South African on-line service
provider and content portal. The company recently expanded its African
Internet business to include Internet service provider operations in
several sub-Saharan African countries, including Namibia, Zambia and
Botswana.
o A 95% interest in M-Web Thailand which owns Sanook!.com, Thailand's
leading Thai content Internet portal.
o M-Web.com.cn, the company's Internet
business in China, was launched earlier this year.
The Group has recently established an Internet business Indonesia - M-Web
Indonesia.
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MIH
Limited
About Ekdosis Tegopoulos
Tegopoulos is a major media company in Greece and publishes the country's
leading daily newspaper (Elefterotypia), the Monday sports magazine (Athlos)
and the mostly widely distributed Sunday newspaper (Kyriakatiki
Elefterotypia).
About Global Capital Investors II LP
Global Capital Investors II LP is a private equity fund of Euro 200 M
investing in fast growing companies in Greece, Western and Central Europe with
an emphasis on in the technology, media and telecommunications sectors.
About Global Finance Group
Global Finance Group is the leading Greek venture capital and private equity
management firm with over Euro 360 million under management. Global Finance
has invested in 42 companies in Greece, the Balkans, Central and Western
Europe and the US. Global Finance has a reputation for providing high quality
expertise and hands-on support to the management if its portfolio companies.
Except for historical statements contained therein, this news release contains
forward-looking statements relating to MIH Limited that involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause MIH Limited's actual results to differ
materially from those contemplated herein, including but not limited to, the
risk factors detailed in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 and other
documents filed from time to time by MIH Limited with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, as amended. MIH Limited undertakes no obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or otherwise.
