Cablevision Adds New York's WNBC and Bravo HD+ to Its Expansive High-Definition Programming Slate
Monday February 23, 12:58 pm ET
iO Digital Cable Customers Now Have Access To Thirteen Channels In High-Definition, Including Popular Local Broadcast Stations, Sports And Movie Networks
BETHPAGE, N.Y., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC - News) today announced the addition of WNBC New York and Bravo HD+ to its expansive high-definition programming slate, which is available to iO: Interactive Optimum® digital cable customers at no additional cost. iO customers now have access to 13 channels in high-definition, including WCBS-TV New York, Thirteen HD (PBS), WNYW-5 (FOX), MSG Network, Fox Sports Net New York, HBO, SHOWTIME, Cinemax HD, STARZ! HD, The Movie Channel HD, iN DEMAND'S INHD and the industry's only high-definition video on demand offering, featuring new release movies and unique titles originally seen in IMAX® theaters.
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"The availability of high-definition programming continues to be a defining element of our iO: Interactive Optimum digital cable service," said Kristin Dolan, Cablevision's senior vice president of digital and video product management. "WNBC and Bravo HD+ are excellent additions to a slate of high-definition programming that is already among the industry's most comprehensive. iO features more high-definition programming than DirecTV or Dish, which is in keeping with the superior value, content and technology that iO represents."
"Cablevision has been an industry leader in launching new technologies, including high-definition television, VOD and voice," said Henry Ahn, Vice President, Affiliate Sales, NBC Cable Networks. "We are thrilled that they have added NBC's high-definition content to their line-up. These launches will bring some of the most popular shows on television, including The West Wing, ER and Law and Order, to audiences on a whole new level."
WNBC is the flagship television station of the NBC Network and broadcasts throughout the greater New York metropolitan area. Digital viewers of WNBC can enjoy the full schedule of NBC's high definition programming, which includes much of the network's prime time line-up and The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.
Bravo HD+ is a division of Bravo, an NBC Cable Network. Launched in third quarter 2003, Bravo HD+ offers contemporary arts and popular entertainment programming in 100% 1080i HD, 24/7. Programming includes the most-honored series in television history, The West Wing and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Performing arts and entertainment content includes Cirque du Soleil: Varekai; Music in High Places, featuring top recording artists performing at the most ancient sites on earth; All Access, featuring Grammy Award-winning rock stars such as Sting, Sheryl Crow and Dave Matthews; and Cinderella's Ballet.
For iO customers with high-definition television sets, Cablevision offers HD-capable converter boxes at no additional cost over the standard box rental fee. High-definition feeds of premium networks are available to all customers who subscribe to the standard-definition version of the networks.
Cablevision provides cable service to nearly 3 million customers in the New York metropolitan area. Currently, more than 900,000, or 30%, of these cable customers are iO digital cable customers -- up from just 6.5% digital penetration at the end of 2002. iO offers customers access to more than 200 channels, including 50 premium movie channels, 45 channels of commercial-free digital music, more than 700 titles available on demand, an interactive programming guide, 13 channels of high-definition programming and other benefits.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum digital television offering, Optimum Online high-speed Internet service, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable service, and its Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC (The Independent Film Channel), and other national and regional networks. Rainbow also is a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net. In 2003, Cablevision's Rainbow DBS launched its VOOM satellite service, the first service to offer a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) television programming. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses, Cablevision is the controlling owner of 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. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.
Monday February 23, 12:58 pm ET
iO Digital Cable Customers Now Have Access To Thirteen Channels In High-Definition, Including Popular Local Broadcast Stations, Sports And Movie Networks
BETHPAGE, N.Y., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC - News) today announced the addition of WNBC New York and Bravo HD+ to its expansive high-definition programming slate, which is available to iO: Interactive Optimum® digital cable customers at no additional cost. iO customers now have access to 13 channels in high-definition, including WCBS-TV New York, Thirteen HD (PBS), WNYW-5 (FOX), MSG Network, Fox Sports Net New York, HBO, SHOWTIME, Cinemax HD, STARZ! HD, The Movie Channel HD, iN DEMAND'S INHD and the industry's only high-definition video on demand offering, featuring new release movies and unique titles originally seen in IMAX® theaters.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The availability of high-definition programming continues to be a defining element of our iO: Interactive Optimum digital cable service," said Kristin Dolan, Cablevision's senior vice president of digital and video product management. "WNBC and Bravo HD+ are excellent additions to a slate of high-definition programming that is already among the industry's most comprehensive. iO features more high-definition programming than DirecTV or Dish, which is in keeping with the superior value, content and technology that iO represents."
"Cablevision has been an industry leader in launching new technologies, including high-definition television, VOD and voice," said Henry Ahn, Vice President, Affiliate Sales, NBC Cable Networks. "We are thrilled that they have added NBC's high-definition content to their line-up. These launches will bring some of the most popular shows on television, including The West Wing, ER and Law and Order, to audiences on a whole new level."
WNBC is the flagship television station of the NBC Network and broadcasts throughout the greater New York metropolitan area. Digital viewers of WNBC can enjoy the full schedule of NBC's high definition programming, which includes much of the network's prime time line-up and The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.
Bravo HD+ is a division of Bravo, an NBC Cable Network. Launched in third quarter 2003, Bravo HD+ offers contemporary arts and popular entertainment programming in 100% 1080i HD, 24/7. Programming includes the most-honored series in television history, The West Wing and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Performing arts and entertainment content includes Cirque du Soleil: Varekai; Music in High Places, featuring top recording artists performing at the most ancient sites on earth; All Access, featuring Grammy Award-winning rock stars such as Sting, Sheryl Crow and Dave Matthews; and Cinderella's Ballet.
For iO customers with high-definition television sets, Cablevision offers HD-capable converter boxes at no additional cost over the standard box rental fee. High-definition feeds of premium networks are available to all customers who subscribe to the standard-definition version of the networks.
Cablevision provides cable service to nearly 3 million customers in the New York metropolitan area. Currently, more than 900,000, or 30%, of these cable customers are iO digital cable customers -- up from just 6.5% digital penetration at the end of 2002. iO offers customers access to more than 200 channels, including 50 premium movie channels, 45 channels of commercial-free digital music, more than 700 titles available on demand, an interactive programming guide, 13 channels of high-definition programming and other benefits.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum digital television offering, Optimum Online high-speed Internet service, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable service, and its Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC (The Independent Film Channel), and other national and regional networks. Rainbow also is a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net. In 2003, Cablevision's Rainbow DBS launched its VOOM satellite service, the first service to offer a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) television programming. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses, Cablevision is the controlling owner of 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. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.
