VIASAT PURCHASES 50 PER CENT OF SPA Viasat AB and Svensk Program Agentur (SPA) are to merge their SMATV operations. SMATV are small cable TV networks that accepts signals via a common satellite dish. The merger means that Viasat will purchase 50 per cent of SPA. This deal will increase the number of Viasat Pay TV subscribers by 110,000 households. SPA has a turnover of some SEK 18 million. The Viasat subsidiary Nätservice, a division within Viasat AB and included in the new constellation, had a turnover of some SEK 33 million in 1998. "This merger means that Viasat will have a larger market share and more rapid growth on the important SMATV market," says Peder Ramel, Vice President Viasat Broadcasting, a part of Modern Times Group MTG AB. "SPA bases its operations on a large number of TV installation firms spread throughout Sweden. This gives us local connections and thus a competitive advantage", says Peder Ramel. "Viasat gives SPA the financial strength needed to keep ahead with new generations of technology. It also guarantees a very broad range of programs for the SMATV networks in Sweden. Through its close collaboration with the TV installation firms SPA, together with Viasat, will be able to assure the quality of its products all the way to the individual household," comments Robert Högbom, Chairman of the board of SPA. For further information, please visit www.mtg.se, or email info@mtg.se or contact: Hans-Holger Albrecht, President & CEO tel: +46 8 562 000 50 Matthew Hooper, Investor & Press Relations tel: +44 20 7321 5010 Modern Times Group MTG AB has seven business areas: Viasat Broadcasting (free-to-air and pay TV channels in nine countries), Radio (seven networks in five countries), New Media (the Everyday interactive TV portal, Internet portal, Mobile portal, and teletext services), Publishing (financial news and information services), Modern Interactive (home shopping, e-commerce, and logistics), SDI Media (subtitling and dubbing services), and Modern Studios (content production and library). Modern Times Group MTG AB's class A and B shares are listed on the Stockholmsbörsen O-list (symbols: MTGA and MTGB) and on the Nasdaq National Market in New York (symbol: MTGNY). MODERN TIMES GROUP MTG AB Skeppsbron 18, Box 2094, SE-103 13 Stockholm, Sweden Tel. +46 8 562 000 50 Fax. +46 8 20 50 74 (Publ) Registration No. 556309- 9158 www.mtg.se ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/01/07/20040107BIT00590/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/01/07/20040107BIT00590/wkr0002.pdf