SILVER SPRING, Md., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio, , one of the world leaders in satellite-based digital radio services, today announced that A.R. Rahman, world-renowned music director, composer and performer, will be the company's brand ambassador in India. Mr. Rahman will produce an exclusive WORLDSPACE song and endorse WORLDSPACE products, which supports the company's overall advertising and promotional activities designed to reach music lovers across India.

A.R. Rahman has composed stirring soundtracks for innumerable popular films and has also released several best-selling albums of other original music. He helped introduce, through his brilliantly combined usage of technology and Indian classical music instruments, a new ambience to Indian cinema and is a leading contributor to the Indian film industry's crossover appeal. Mr. Rahman composed music for the Indian movie Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India which was nominated for best foreign-language film at the 2002 Academy Awards, and he has performed his work for western audiences at leading venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.

"We are delighted to partner with the musical genius of A.R. Rahman, as he is world-renowned for bringing global rhythms and Indian tunes together to create a distinctive international sound. Our association with A.R. Rahman fits perfectly with our goal as we set out to define the future of radio in India and extend the service to music lovers across genres," said Shishir Lall, managing director, WORLDSPACE India.

"WORLDSPACE is the only satellite radio service in India offering the widest platform for music in the country with over 40 dedicated channels that showcase a bouquet of genres from Carnatic music to Hip-Hop," said A.R. Rahman. He added, "It is my pleasure to be associated with a brand that provides such an extensive range of music. I look forward to working with WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio in bringing the future of radio entertainment to people across India."

WORLDSPACE, with more than 40 high-quality digital channels, delivers a variety of branded and commercial-free content to keep listeners enthralled, including jazz, rock, pop, classical and country.

About WORLDSPACE, Inc.

WORLDSPACE, Inc. is the world's only global media and entertainment company positioned to offer a satellite radio experience to consumers in more than 130 countries with five billion people, driving 300 million cars. WORLDSPACE delivers the latest tunes, trends and information from around the world and around the corner. WORLDSPACE subscribers benefit from a unique combination of local programming, original WORLDSPACE content and content from leading brands around the globe including the BBC, CNN, Virgin Radio, NDTV and RFI. WORLDSPACE's satellites cover two-thirds of the globe with six beams. Each beam is capable of delivering up to 80 channels of high quality digital audio and multimedia programming directly to WORLDSPACE Satellite Radios anytime and virtually anywhere in its coverage area. WORLDSPACE is a pioneer of satellite-based digital radio services (DARS) and was instrumental in the development of the technology infrastructure used today by XM Satellite Radio. For more information, please visit http://www.worldspace.com/.

The company's Indian headquarters is located in the southern city of Bangalore, the capital of the state of Karnataka.

CONTACT: Judith Pryor of WORLDSPACE, +1-301-960-1242,
jpryor@worldspace.com; or Dacrie Brooks of Brodeur, +1-202-775-2646,
dbrooks@brodeur.com, for WORLDSPACE

Web site: http://www.worldspace.com/