Primetime Channel Blocks to Begin Airing September 4 on
Korea's First and Only High-Definition Service
Seoul City, Korea – August 31, 2006 – During a special press conference held today in Seoul City, Korea, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC ("Rainbow"), and Skylife's SkyHD revealed the first VOOM HD programs set to premier in Korea as a result of the companies' extensive and groundbreaking June 2006 agreement. VOOM HD Networks General Manager Greg Moyer and SkyHD President Keum Pyo both introduced attendees to VOOM HD and announced the new daily primetime lineup, which kicks off on September 4.
Culled from Rainbow's extensive VOOM HD suite of high-definition (HD) channels, this lineup includes programming from Rave HD, Rush HD, Equator HD, Gallery HD, Treasure HD and Ultra HD, the first of 368 hours planned as part of the two-year deal-Rainbow's largest content sale internationally to date. Nearly two million Korean households will have the opportunity to view the primetime blocks in HD.
"We like to say VOOM HD is for people who want to live their 'life in high-definition.' By that, we mean it's for people who are active, curious and interested in all the wonder and excitement that the world has to offer," explained Moyer during the conference. "SkyHD is providing Korean television audiences a rich and diverse assortment of VOOM HD programming that we believe truly demonstrates the appeal and entertainment value of high-definition television."
Added Hong: "SkyHD has selected a number of series and special programs from VOOM HD Networks' vast program offerings, and we look forward to sharing them with our viewers this fall. We are pleased to present an exceptional primetime lineup filled with quality, style and flavor."
The following programs are slated to debut on SkyHD beginning Monday, September 4:
Mondays – Rave HD (live music in HD & Dolby) / Ultra HD (fashion, style, luxury)
September 4 – Rave HD's Soundstage: Farm Aid 2003
September 11 – Rave HD's Soundstage: Chicago, followed by Ultra HD's Tommy Hilfiger: Behind the Label
Tuesdays – Rush HD (life on the edge with adventure sports' adrenaline junkies)
September 5 – BMX P.I.G. Season 1, Day 1, 2
September 12 – BMX P.I.G. Season 1, Day 3, 4
Wednesdays – Equator HD (the most extraordinary place and people on the planet)
September 6 – Vanishing Planet 1, 2
September 13 – Earth Diaries 1, 2
Thursdays – Gallery HD (stunning imagery/stories from the art world's frontline)
September 7 – Art Star 1, 2
September 14 – Art Star 3, 4
Fridays – Treasure HD (original series for/about those with a passion for collecting)
September 8 – Collective Intelligence 1, 2 followed by Extreme Treasure 1
September 15 – Collective Intelligence 3, 4, followed by Extreme Treasure 2
Since launching its global expansion initiative just under a year ago, Rainbow Media has sold over 500 hours of programming from its VOOM HD, WE tv, and Mag Rack brands to broadcasters around the world, including China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, the UK, Scandinavia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Australia, New Zealand and India.
About SkyLife
SkyLife is the sole digital satellite broadcasting business in Korea providing over 170 specialized channels of movies, education, children's programming, sports, news and music with high definition SD level picture and high CD quality sound. SkyLife leads the convergence era of broadcasting and communication through its interactive service. In addition, SkyLife's HD broadcasting, SkyHD, is a 24-hour channel, the third to be introduced in the world following Japan and the U.S. SkyLife also offers 'Sky Touch' interactive broadcasting service which has DVB-MHP application basis for the first time in the world. Sky Touch provides 36 services such as games, education, TV-banking, TV-ordering and so forth. Launched in 2002, SkyLife holds over 1.8 million subscribers as of Nov. 2005.
About VOOM HD Networks
VOOM HD Networks is the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere, produced exclusively in high definition for distribution around the globe 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 in the U.S. on Echostar's DISH Network and select programming is available internationally in over 20 different countries. 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 two 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.