Rush HD and Equator HD Now Available on Bell ExpressVu Satellite Service
Deal Marks Third VOOM HD Network Channel Launch Outside the United States
New York, NY – September 5, 2006 – Strengthening its global footprint in both programming and channel sales, Rainbow HD Holdings LLC ("Rainbow") announced today the launch of two additional VOOM HD channels in Canada as a result of its distribution agreement with High Fidelity HDTV. Rush HD and Equator HD are now available on the Bell ExpressVu Satellite Service, Canada's leading direct-to-home (DTH) satellite provider.
Today's announcement, which marks VOOM HD's third channel launch outside the United States, comes on the heels of Rainbow's recent contract expansion with High Fidelity HDTV to add the channels to its existing offerings. Fueled by the success of Rainbow's Treasure HD, which launched in March on Bell ExpressVu, this new carriage agreement further validates the broad appeal of VOOM's engaging programming and consumers' growing demand for quality high-definition (HD) content.
"We look forward to growing the global reach of VOOM HD Networks' channel brands and programming by bringing both to Canadian viewers through our agreement with High Fidelity HDTV," said Greg Moyer, VOOM HD's General Manager. "High Fidelity's success with Treasure HD, and the addition of Rush HD and Equator HD to its channel suite, validates the appeal of VOOM HD Networks' engaging programming as well as consumers' growing demand for quality HD content."
Rainbow Media's Senior Vice President, Business Development, Glenn Oakley further stated: "We are very excited about this important and strategic international brand extension. When added to the more than 600 hours of programming licensed to broadcasters around the globe, we have proven that VOOM has been instrumental in filling a huge void in the marketplace for HD content. We look forward to working with High Fidelity on exploring other opportunities that will provide Canadian viewers the ability to truly maximize their HD televisions."
Added High Fidelity HDTV co-founder John Panikkar: "These two new channels provide Canadians with even more unparalleled viewing of original HD content. Our new channels Rush HD and Equator HD, together with Treasure HD and our originally developed OasisHD, make owning an HD television worth the investment. Nowhere else can you get as much true-HD programming, which is all Canadian premiere, and all of it smart, refreshing and beautiful."
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
An independent Toronto-based high definition television production and broadcast company, High Fidelity HDTV Inc. was established in 2005 after several years of development. The company is currently developing many more non-fiction HD broadcast channels which will launch in 2007 and beyond to address the critical shortage of vibrant HD programming in the Canadian marketplace. High Fidelity HDTV's production company, Artefact HD Media Inc., is nearing the completion of its first HD series production. The 26 episode series, Collector Showdown, is currently being broadcast in the United States on Treasure HD and will premiere in Canada on Treasure HD in September 2006.
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.