JERICHO, N.Y., November 8, 2004 – VOOM HD satellite service has entered into a licensing agreement with Miramax Films through which VOOM has obtained the exclusive hi-definition distribution rights to 193 of Miramax and Dimension's films. The films will begin airing this fall on VOOM's HD Cinema 10, a 10-channel multiplex featuring uncut, commercial-free movies in HD. The deal provides VOOM with the rights to air the select Miramax and Dimension titles over the next three years. The announcement was made today by Miramax chief operating officer Rick Sands and Nora Ryan, Co-General Manager, VOOM HD Originals.
The films acquired from the Miramax and Dimension library include 68 martial arts titles, starring actors including Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh. Many will have their television premieres on VOOM, including Jet Li's The Master, Jackie Chan's Project A2 and The Way of the Dragon starring Bruce Lee.
Of the 28 Foreign Language films, 16 will have their television premieres on VOOM including Academy Award nominees Amelie and Strawberry and Chocolate, a contemporary comedy set in Havana, Cuba; the Chinese film Farewell My Concubine and the Brazilian drama Behind the Sun. The 94 English language titles include Woody Allen's Celebrity, the comedy Clerks, Sundance Film Festival winner The Picture Bride, and acclaimed horror film Prophecy II.
"Hi-definition television has proven to be the most desirable medium through which viewers can enjoy a filmmaker's vision as it was meant to be seen," said Rick Sands. "We are in the early stages of finding out what format is most appealing to audiences who will be watching television in the future, and are excited to be partnering with VOOM on this latest endeavor."
About Miramax Films
Miramax Films, founded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein in 1979, has released some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful independent feature films, including fourteen Best Picture nominations over a span of the past twelve years: Chicago, Gangs of New York, The Hours, In the Bedroom, Chocolat, The Cider House Rules, Shakespeare In Love, Life Is Beautiful (La Vita É Bella), Good Will Hunting, The English Patient, Il Postino (The Postman) and The Piano as well twenty-three Best Foreign Language Film nominations over the past sixteen years including The Barbarian Invasions, Amelie, Kolya, Mediterraneo and Cinema Paradiso.
About VOOM HD Originals
HD Cinema 10 is a 10-channel multiplex of uncut, commercial-free movies in HD. HD Cinema 10 is one of the VOOM HD Originals, an all-inclusive package of 21 commercial-free channels created by Rainbow Media and available exclusively to subscribers of VOOM, the first television service to offer a comprehensive array of HD programming to customers throughout the continental United States. In addition to HD Cinema 10, the VOOM HD Originals include exclusive HD coverage of international soccer on WorldSport HD; artistic masterpieces from around the world on Gallery HD; an inside look at exclusive live auctions on Auction HD; spine-chilling movies brought to life in hi-definition on Monsters HD; 24/7 news shot in native HD on HDNews; breathtaking world culture and natural history programming on Equator HD; experimental non-narrative video art on MOOV; Divine HD, the first ever hi-definition 24/7 gay movie channel; the latest pop music concerts on Rave HD; in-your-face action sports on Rush HD; and the best in fashion, food and fine living on Ultra HD.
About VOOM and Rainbow DBS
VOOM, provided by Rainbow DBS, Cablevision System Corporation's satellite division, is the first television service to provide a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) programming for the rapidly growing but underserved HDTV audience. With a lineup of more than 35 HD channels, VOOM delivers more HD programming than any other satellite or cable service provider. VOOM's HD lineup includes STARZ! HD, Encore HD, Showtime HD, Playboy Hot HD, ESPN HD, HBO HDTV and Cinemax HDTV, as well as an exclusive package of brand-new, commercial-free VOOM HD Originals such as WorldSport, Gallery and Animania. The service also includes more than 80 of the most popular cable channels in standard-definition (SD), 18 digital music channels, and over-the-air digital broadcast channels in HD, where available. VOOM is offered across the continental United States through local Sears retailers; at BrandsMart USA stores; through leading online retailer, Crutchfield Corporation and through O'Rourke Sales Company's independent electronics retailers with approximately 10,000 locations in all 50 states. Customers can also purchase the service by calling 1-800-GET-VOOM or by visiting www.voom.com.