Two Additional VOOM HD Brands – Rush HD and Equator HD – to Launch in Canada
Toronto – July 12, 2006 – High Fidelity HDTV, a Toronto-based High-Definition (HD) broadcaster, and Rainbow HD Holdings LLC, an international HD provider and subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, announced today the expansion of an agreement to bring Canadian audiences additional programming from Rainbow's diverse suite of VOOM HD channels. The deal to launch Rush HD and Equator HD channels – which involves licensing of Rainbow's extensive HD programming – both solidifies High Fidelity as Canada's leading HD provider and strengthens Rainbow's global reach.
The agreement significantly expands on a deal signed in the first quarter of 2006 between the two companies that led to the launch of Rainbow's Treasure HD channel, now on the air in Canada. As part of that deal, High Fidelity currently distributes the Treasure HD brand throughout the country, and has access to over 100 hours each year of VOOM HD content.
"This deal deepens the strategic relationship that exists between two of North America's leading HD broadcasters and producers of HD content," said Ken Murphy, Co-Founder of High Fidelity. "High Fidelity is clearly positioned to strengthen the HD channel offerings of Canadian cable and satellite service providers by meeting the needs of a rapidly-growing number of HD viewers in the marketplace."
Added Greg Moyer, VOOM HD's General Manager: "With a command of the Canadian HD landscape, it has been a natural fit for High Fidelity and Rainbow to join resources as we increase the global footprint of our VOOM HD Networks. We are pleased to continue our successful collaboration in providing some of the very best HD content to Canadian viewers."
John Panikkar, Co-Founder of High Fidelity further stated: "We are so pleased to be working closely with Rainbow to better serve Canadians who want refreshing, smart and beautiful true HD programming, 24/7, and that's exactly what Treasure HD, Rush HD, Equator HD and our wholly-owned OasisHD offer."
High Fidelity will have the exclusive rights to launch two new VOOM HD channels – Rush HD and Equator HD – in Canada. The agreement gives High Fidelity branding rights to the channels and access to hundreds of hours of VOOM HD programming.
VOOM HD and High Fidelity plan to further their broadcasting collaboration by committing resources to develop a slate of original productions. The first anticipated collaboration is a new original Canadian-produced series, Collector's Showdown, consisting of 26 episodes. Each half-hour episode will showcase two collectors in the same genre as they test their knowledge of their chosen passion against each other for a unique result. High Fidelity and VOOM HD envision additional programming and production collaborations on dozens of original hours of all-HD content to better serve the growing demand for smart, refreshing and beautiful programming in North America and worldwide.
Channel Profiles
Rush HD is a no-boundaries, no-limits adrenaline rush of the amazing things people will do to test their personal danger zones. RUSH HD humanizes the adrenaline junkie, taking him or her out of the pure sports zone and into one accessible to all. RUSH HD continues to redefine the action genre both technically and creatively, giving viewers the ultimate home entertainment and edge-of-the-seat experience.
Equator HD brings the world's most intriguing places and people into intimate and personal contact, with exclusive stories of remote cultures, rare geography and unique rituals that hold a mirror up to ourselves, who we are, and how we interact with our planet. It is television at its most observational, allowing people to tell their own stories, in their own words, with context, color and clarity.
Treasure HD is about the thrill of the hunt for that rare, unique or otherwise personally-significant object without which you are just not complete. It's about the passion of possession, the beauty or oddities of collections large and small. It's about the hidden vaults that museum-goers or art gallery patrons rarely see. It's about the mystery surrounding valuable or quirky objects, and the colorful, unique and sometimes strange characters who pursue them.
About High Fidelity HDTV
High Fidelity HDTV Inc. is a new Canadian-based speciality broadcaster offering four exciting new 24/7 High Definition channels. Founded by industry veterans Ken Murphy and John Panikkar, High Fidelity is the leader in Canadian high definition broadcasting and is growing rapidly with the HD marketplace. High Fidelity launched OasisHD and Treasure HD in March 2006, and is launching Rush HD and Equator HD this summer. High Fidelity has a strong and close relationship with Rainbow Media Holdings in the U.S.A. and with other HD leaders around the world. High Fidelity is aggressively producing dynamic and original Canadian HD programming for its new channels. Through its well established relationships with producers and broadcasters around the world, High Fidelity is creating a growing number of original HD co-productions for Canadian and international audiences. High Fidelity is committed to providing the rapidly growing number of Canadian HD viewers with smart, refreshing and beautiful HD story experiences.
About VOOM HD
VOOM HD Networks is the largest suite of high-definition channels available anywhere, produced exclusively in high definition for distribution in the United States through satellite and cable operators. The VOOM HD Networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. Today, the VOOM HD Networks are available nationally on Echostar's DISH Network. The VOOM HD Networks were developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high-definition programming, building on Rainbow Media's history of original programming innovation.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands including popular national and regional television channels AMC, fuse, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), WE tv, and three FSN affiliated regional sports networks managed by Rainbow Sports Networks. The company also manages Mag Rack and sportskool, two original on-demand networks; VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere; IFC Entertainment, its film distribution, production and exhibition division; Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division; and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.