Kudelski Group (SIX: KUD.S) and EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) announced today the signing of an agreement whereby EchoStar will become a shareholder in SmarDTV SA, the subsidiary of Kudelski SA that offers advanced set-top boxes and conditional access modules. As part of the transaction, EchoStar’s operations in Steeton, U.K. and Madrid, Spain will be transferred to SmarDTV.
SmarDTV will build on the heritage of Nagra, Conax and OpenTV, as well as EchoStar’s proven engineering and technology capabilities, to facilitate joint commercial activities. This will enable SmarDTV to deliver a broad portfolio of world-class, feature-rich consumer devices to the TV broadcasting and broadband markets, including gateways, set-top boxes and conditional access modules, combined with best-of-breed Kudelski technologies for security, middleware and user experience.
“Partnering with Kudelski will allow both companies to expand our global reach and open up new business opportunities,” said Mark Jackson, president of EchoStar Technologies. “The EchoStar brand will further develop its strong global presence, expanding our video and broadcast solutions with new international initiatives.”
“The Kudelski Group and EchoStar have been partners for almost a quarter-century, and we have a proven track record of successfully combining our activities through collaborative joint ventures,” said André Kudelski, chairman and CEO of the Kudelski Group. “By joining forces at SmarDTV, our goal is to leverage the strengths of both companies and to further expand our partnership by providing premier solutions to the market.”
About the Kudelski Group
The Kudelski Group is listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX:KUD:S). It is a world leader in digital security; its technologies are used in a wide range of services and applications requiring access control and rights management to secure the revenues of content owners and service providers for digital television. The Group also offers cyber security solutions and services focused on helping companies assess risks and vulnerabilities and protect their data and systems. The Kudelski Group is also a technology leader in the area of access control and management of people or vehicles to sites and events. For more information, please visit www.nagra.com.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is one of the premier global providers of satellite operations and video delivery solutions. EchoStar’s wholly owned subsidiary, Hughes, is the world’s leading provider of satellite broadband services, delivering network technologies and managed services in more than 100 countries.
Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., with business units worldwide, EchoStar is a multiple Emmy award-winning company that has pioneered advancements in the TV and satellite industries for nearly 30 years, consistently delivering value for customers, partners and investors. Over the last three decades, EchoStar’s innovations in video technology have impacted the way consumers view, receive and manage TV programming, garnering numerous awards in recognition of EchoStar’s advancements to the media landscape.
