Significant Expansion To 40 High-Definition Programming Services Make
Cablevision's iO(R) Digital Cable Product The Nation's Leading Source Of
HD, Company Announces Capability To Carry More Than 500 HD Channels This
Year
BETHPAGE, N.Y., June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision Systems
Corp. (NYSE: CVC) today announced that it will add 15 new high-definition
channels from VOOM HD Networks, beginning June 26. The additions will bring
Cablevision's iO digital cable customers a total of 40 HD programming
services -- the most HD available anywhere in the nation, from any
provider. The company also announced that by the end of this year it will
have the capability to carry more than 500 channels of HD programming on
its advanced fiber optic network.
In addition to the best HD picture and sound, iO customers receive HD
channels without the fees and charges Cablevision's competitors require
customers to pay for HD, and without the compression satellite providers
use to deliver HD programming. Cablevision was the first provider in the
nation to launch HD video on demand, and is still the only source of HD VOD
within its service area. VOOM's 15 high-definition channels will become
available to iO customers beginning next week and will be fully deployed
across the company's entire service area by June 28. The channels will be
located with Cablevision's other high-definition programming starting on
channel 700.
"Satellite and phone company TV providers continue to talk about their
plans for HD, but Cablevision is actually doing something about it, by
delivering more high-definition programming to our customers than anyone
else, including the most local sports in HD, without the extra fees our
competitors charge for HD. In fact, iO is the only choice for New York-area
fans who want to see all of the HD games of all nine area professional
sports teams," said John Trierweiler, Cablevision's senior vice president
of product management.
"The VOOM channels represent the pinnacle of high-definition and we are
pleased to extend our leadership position in this important category
through the introduction of these exciting services," Trierweiler
continued. "While we carry the most HD channels today, by the end of the
year Cablevision will have the capacity to launch more than 500 HD channels
on its advanced fiber optic network."
VOOM HD Networks (http://www.voom.com), offer television's largest and
most diverse suite of high-definition channels. Fifteen commercial-free,
wide-screen channels, all delivered in true 1080i HD and 5.1 Dolby(R)
Digital surround sound, VOOM offers an extraordinary breadth of movies,
sports, music and original programming.
The VOOM 15 includes:
HDNews - The only HD source for 24/7 news, sports and weather, HDNews
offers news headlines, sports highlights, in-depth features and national
weather reports supported by five news bureaus across the nation.
Equator HD - The first high-definition channel dedicated to exploring the
world's most intriguing people and amazing places with intelligent
programs about global adventure and green living.
Gallery HD - Stunning imagery and stories from the front line of the art
world. Gallery HD is the first and only HD channel that defines the
most talked-about artists of today and tomorrow.
Rush HD - Life on the edge with adrenaline junkies of adventure sports.
Rave HD - Live music as a whole new experience in crystal clear HD and
5.1 surround sound.
Ultra HD - The hottest fashion, the coolest styles and insight into the
"luxe" life from around the world. Ultra HD delivers coverage of the
fashion industry's hottest events, shopping, cuisine and interior
design.
Animania HD -- Eye-popping HD animation from the groundbreaking to the
classic.
Monsters HD -- The masters of movie horror in terrifying HD clarity.
Gameplay HD -- Enter the virtual worlds of video gaming for the first
time in HD.
Treasure HD -- A channel dedicated to pursuing stories about people and
their passions. Original, innovative, entertaining, it's a high-
definition look at what people treasure in life, from antiques to
adventures.
Worldsport HD -- Live sports coverage from premier arenas around the
globe.
Family Room HD -- Movies, series and specials suitable for the whole
family.
Film Fest HD -- A non-stop film festival for movie fans, remastered in
HD.
Kung Fu HD -- All martial arts action, all the time. From Bruce Lee to
Jet Li, all in HD.
World Cinema HD -- Award-winning and top-performing movies without
borders, featuring award-wining movies and stars from around the globe.
Cablevision customers have demonstrated a growing appetite for the best
in HD content. The company has deployed more than 1 million high-definition
set- top boxes to customers, and had 734,000 HD customers as of March 31 --
an 85 percent increase in HD customers over the previous year. The
company's current HD line-up includes a diverse mix of local broadcast
stations, premium movie channels, established cable networks and an
unbeatable array of sports programming, featuring more local sports in HD
than any other provider.
iO customers today enjoy access to the following services in high-
definition: CBS HD, NBC HD, FOX HD, ABC HD, My9 HD, CW 11 HD, Thirteen HD
(PBS), MSG HD, FSN NY HD, YES HD, SportsNet New York HD, ESPN HD, VERSUS
HD, The Golf Channel HD, National Geographic Channel HD, Discovery HD
Theatre, TNT HD, Universal HD, MOJO, Starz HD, HBO HD, Showtime HD, Cinemax
HD, The Movie Channel HD, and high definition video on demand (VOD).
For iO customers with high-definition television sets, Cablevision
offers HD-capable converter boxes at no additional cost over the standard
box rental fee, unlike competitors who assess additional equipment and/or
service charges in order to see HD programming. In addition,
high-definition feeds of premium movie networks are available to all
customers who subscribe to the standard- definition version of the
networks. High-definition video on demand movie titles are available
anytime for $4.95 each, which includes full control over the viewing
experience with the ability to pause, fast-forward and rewind.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) is one of the nation's
leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable
television operations serve more than 3 million households in the New York
metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings
include its iO: Interactive Optimum(R) digital television, Optimum Online
high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable, and its
Optimum Lightpath integrated business communications services.
Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful
programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, WE tv and other national and
regional networks. In addition to its telecommunications and programming
businesses, Cablevision owns Madison Square Garden and its sports teams,
the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New
York's famed Radio City Music Hall, and owns and operates Clearview
Cinemas.
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