Primetime Channel Blocks of Ultra HD, Rush HD, Equator HD, GamePlay HD and Monsters HD
New York, NY – June 19, 2006 – Rainbow HD Holdings LLC ("Rainbow HD"), a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC ("Rainbow"), and Skylife's SkyHD have agreed to launch HD programming drawn from a variety of the VOOM HD network brands on Korea's first and only high-definition (HD) programming service. The daily, primetime two-hour block will feature five VOOM HD network brands – Ultra HD, Rush HD, Equator HD, GamePlay HD, and Monsters HD – throughout the week. Today's announcement was made by Greg Moyer, VOOM HD's General Manager, and Keum Pyo Hong, President of SkyHD.
According to the terms of the agreement, Rainbow HD will provide SkyHD with 368 hours of programming over the next two years culled from its extensive VOOM HD Networks suite of HD channels and produced exclusively in true high-definition and 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound. The primetime blocks will begin airing on SkyHD in Q3 2006 and have the potential to be seen in both HD and standard-definition by nearly two million households throughout Korea. Rainbow HD's largest content sale to Korea, this deal represents the company's continued global expansion.
"SkyHD is providing us with the opportunity to introduce Korean television audiences to the value and beauty of high-definition programming while extending the reach and impact of VOOM HD Networks," said Rainbow's Moyer in making the announcement. "With our programming now distributed in over 50 countries, we are proud to provide the very best of VOOM HD content for this premiere SkyHD block."
Added Glenn Oakley, Rainbow's Senior Vice President, Business Development: "We are very excited about this important and strategic international brand extension. Korea plays a key role in our global expansion plans, and we are honored to be working with SkyHD in taking this step forward."
SkyHD viewers will have the opportunity to sample a rich and diverse array of VOOM HD Network programming, including series from:
- Ultra HD – Provides a unique insight into luxurious lifestyles with a look at the hottest fashion and coolest styles from around the world
- Rush HD – Takes viewers to the edge with the adrenaline junkies of adventure sports
- Equator HD – Focuses on the most extraordinary places and people on the planet
- GamePlay HD – Transports audiences to the virtual world of video games for the first time in HDTV
- Monsters HD – Brings the masters of movie horror to life in terrifying HD clarity
"The diversity of Rainbow's VOOM HD Networks programming is a great asset to the SkyHD service," added SkyHD's Hong. "Our audience is hungry for this type of high-definition programming, spanning documentaries, fashion, sports and entertainment. We are delighted at the opportunity to bring our subscribers these special branded primetime blocks."
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 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.