LONDON, April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Board of United Business
Media plc ("UBM") announces that it has sold its shareholding in SDN Limited
("SDN") to itv plc ("itv") for a net consideration of approximately GBP35
million in cash.
    SDN is a UK digital terrestrial television ("DTT") multiplex operator
which holds the licence from Ofcom to broadcast DTT channels over specified
band-widths. Its customers include Channel 5, the BBC, QVC, Sit up TV,
Teletext, Disney and Turner Classic Movies. SDN had three shareholders: UBM,
NTL Broadcast (MUKBL Digital Limited ("MUKBL")) and S4C Digital Media Limited
("S4C").
    UBM's 33% shareholding in SDN was a non-core part of its businesses.
Under the provisions of the SDN Shareholders' Agreement and Articles of
Association, UBM and S4C exercised pre-emption rights in relation to MUKBL's
shareholding in SDN and subsequently entered into a definitive agreement with
itv to sell SDN for approximately GBP134 million including net debt assumed
of GBP33 million, subject to adjustments to reflect SDN's working capital
balances and other potential consideration adjustments.
    For the year ended 31 December 2004, UBM's share of SDN's profit was
GBP1.3 million. The transaction is expected to have a minimal impact on UBM's
earnings per share in 2005.
    Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein acted as financial adviser to UBM and S4C
on this transaction.
    Notes to Editors:
    United Business Media plc (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com) is a
leading provider of business information services to the technology,
healthcare, media, automotive, financial services and property industries.
UBM offers services in news distribution, market research, publishing and
events to customers across the globe. Its brands include PR Newswire, the
world's leading corporate news distribution service and CMP, the B2B media
and exhibition group operating in high tech, healthcare, property,
entertainment, jewellery & fashion in the US, UK, Asia and Europe.
    This press release includes statements which are not historical facts and
are considered "forward-looking" within the meaning of Section 27 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These forward-looking statements reflect
UBM's current views about future events, business and growth strategy and
financial performance. These forward-looking statements are identified by
their use of terms and phrases such as "believe," "expect," "plan,"
"anticipate," "on target" and similar expressions identifying forward-looking
statements. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because
they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from UBM's expectations. UBM
expressly does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements.
Management does not attempt to update forecasts unless conditions materially
change.

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