In her new role Altman will oversee several departments for XM, including new business development, business and legal affairs, office of the general counsel, human resources and regulatory and government affairs.

"Dara brings to XM a wealth of legal and management experience in the entertainment industry and is a welcome addition to our executive team," said Hugh Panero, President and CEO, XM Satellite Radio. "Her keen understanding of legal and business issues, combined with her strategic vision, make her an invaluable asset for XM as we continue to expand our position as the leader in satellite radio."

Altman joins XM with more than 20 years of experience in business and legal affairs for entertainment media companies, most recently as executive vice president of business affairs for Discovery Communications.

In her role at DCI, Altman oversaw all business negotiations for Discovery's global television assets, representing expenditures of more than $750 million annually across a broad range of business activities, including its domestic television networks, Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet, as well as DCI's education business and online and commerce activities. Altman also was responsible for leading critical corporate acquisitions for Discovery, including United Learning and AIMS Multimedia.

Prior to joining Discovery, Altman served as senior vice president and general counsel of Reiss Media Enterprises, where she oversaw all legal and business affairs for the company and its subsidiaries, including the national pay-per-view service Request Television. Altman also held several positions at HBO, including senior counsel, west coast programming.

Her legal career also includes private practice experience with the New York law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher where she specialized in general corporate and securities work. Altman is a graduate of Amherst College and received her law degree from the Columbia University School of Law.

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