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Gemstar-TV Guide Names Ryan O'Hara President, TV Guide Channel

Posted on: Monday, 15 August 2005, 09:00 CDT

Ryan O'Hara has been named president of TV Guide Channel, it was announced today by Rich Battista, CEO of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMST). In this newly created role, Mr. O'Hara will oversee all aspects of TV Guide Channel and TV Guide SPOT, the company's new on-demand network, including programming, marketing, advertising sales, operations, business affairs and finance. The current TV Guide Channel and TV Guide Spot management teams will now report to Mr. O'Hara, who will continue to be based in Los Angeles and to report to Mr. Battista.

Since early 2004, Mr. O'Hara has been president of TVG Network, Gemstar-TV Guide's interactive horse racing television network. With Mr. O'Hara's leadership, TVG's revenues grew more than 37 percent in 2004 and nearly 42 percent in the first six months of 2005, while its cable and satellite distribution has increased by 26 percent since Mr. O'Hara joined the network. Last quarter, TVG Network set a record in wagering revenue for the network, and marked the first time the network's quarterly wagering revenue has exceeded $100 million. During Mr. O'Hara's tenure, TVG also expanded its unique brand of sports programming, and, in March 2005, the network launched a groundbreaking interactive sports television application with DISH Network. Mr. O'Hara will continue to oversee TVG until a successor is named.

"Ryan has done an outstanding job operating and building the TVG network," Mr. Battista said. "Under his leadership, TVG has experienced tremendous revenue growth while adding a distinctive edge to its product offering for consumers, advertisers and distributors. Ryan takes the reins of TV Guide Channel when the network is in a unique competitive position, with substantial opportunities ahead. I look forward to seeing Ryan take the network to the next level of growth."

"I'm excited by the opportunity to lead TV Guide Channel and TV Guide SPOT," Mr. O'Hara said. "The team at TV Guide Channel has built a very unique network and platform, and I look forward to making our TV Guide television products distinctive and attractive for consumers and distributors alike."

Mr. O'Hara joined Gemstar-TV Guide in 2002 as senior vice president, Business Development and Strategic Planning. In February 2004, he took on his current role at TVG. Prior to joining Gemstar-TV Guide, Mr. O'Hara was based in London with BSKYB, serving as director of Interactive Television Strategy. His affiliation with News Corporation began with the FOX/Liberty Networks in February 1999, when Mr. O'Hara served as director, Business Development for the joint venture, which operated sports and entertainment networks, including Fox Sports Net and FX. Prior to joining FOX/Liberty Networks, he served in entertainment management consulting with Price Waterhouse Coopers and in brand management at Nestle.

Mr. O'Hara holds a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Economics degree from Stanford University.

About TV Guide Channel & TV Guide SPOT

TV Guide Channel is the only network devoted to TV fans seeking the latest information on the best programs, hottest stars and coolest trends on television. Reaching nearly 80 million homes, TV Guide Channel is home to mother and daughter "fashionistas" Joan and Melissa Rivers. Combining original entertainment programming with local program information, TV Guide Channel is the destination for what's on TV.

TV Guide SPOT is Gemstar-TV Guide's new, on-demand network designed to entertain consumers while helping them navigate their ever-expanding programming choices. The network began launching in 2nd quarter 2005 to Comcast and Time Warner Cable digital customers, broadband users on tvguide.com, and to TiVo customers with stand-alone set-top boxes. TV Guide SPOT features short-form, originally-produced entertainment programs that guide consumers to the most compelling fare on TV each week.

About Gemstar-TV Guide

Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. is a leading media and technology company that develops, licenses, markets and distributes technologies, products and services targeted at the television guidance and home entertainment needs of consumers worldwide. The Company's businesses include: television media and publishing properties; interactive program guide services and products; and technology and intellectual property licensing. Additional information about the Company can be found at www.gemstartvguide.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties related to declines in our magazine publishing business; timely availability and market acceptance of products and services incorporating the Company's technologies and content; our investment in new and existing businesses, including TV Guide magazine, Inside TV, and TV Guide Spot; limitations on our ability to control certain joint venture or partnership businesses; the impact of competitive products and pricing; ongoing and potential future litigation; and the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the most recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to time. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Note to Editors: Gemstar, TV Guide, TV Guide Channel, i-Guide and TVG Network are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. The names of other companies and products used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: Business Wire

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