Debuting Singapore and Hong Kong Channels Part of Extensive Worldwide VOOM HD Distribution Strategy
Singapore – July 20, 2007 – Continuing to break new ground for its unparalleled suite of high-definition (HD) content, VOOM HD Networks has announced a multi-channel, multi-country launch in Asia. Singapore's SingTel today debuted four HD channels in conjunction with VOOM, and Hong Kong's PCCW unveiled its VOOM HD channel on July 18. The launches are part of VOOM's extensive worldwide distribution strategy, a roll-out that already includes VOOM HD channels on four continents and international programming sales of over 500 hours of high-definition content.
"We are incredibly honored to be included in the groundbreaking launch of dedicated high-definition channels into Singapore and Hong Kong and are equally pleased at the opportunity to work with such respected television pioneers as SingTel and PCCW," said Greg Moyer, VOOM HD Networks General Manager. "It is gratifying to see Asia-and the rest of the world-mobilizing to meet the growing demand for high-quality digital entertainment."
The SingTel launch includes Equator HD, a documentary channel about the people, places and cultures of the world with a special focus on protecting the environment; SLING HD, a teen oriented co-venture of VOOM HD and leading Singapore media company Mega Media with content encompassing computer games, virtual reality and extreme sports; WorldSPORT HD, a video-on-demand (VOD) service featuring sports documentaries and select arena sporting events from around the world; and VOOM HD, a broad slate of originals that offer a passionate perspective on adventure travel, fashion, luxury lifestyle, art and music.
PCCW unveiled the VOOM HD channel for Hong Kong on Wednesday. While viewers are initially receiving the programming in standard definition (SD), the channel will be available in HD very soon, commencing with PCCW's launch broadcast of English Premiere League football. Both SingTel and PCCW launches fulfill the agreements facilitated earlier this year by Gregory Ang, President of Gang TV, who represents VOOM HD Networks in Southeast Asia.
Commented Ang: "VOOM developed its international channels with not only the clear objective to reach a global audience, but also the solid understanding of a marketplace in transition. As VOOM continues to identify and fill the world's HD content void, I have enjoyed being part of its initial progress into Asia and look forward to seeing its continued global success."
VOOM's first distribution in Asia began last September when a daily, two-hour branded block debuted on Skylife's Sky HD, South Korea's first and only full-time HD programming service.
VOOM HD Networks has been producing content in Asia since the launch of its international expansion initiative in 2005. The result of a $20 million co-production agreement with Singapore's Mega Media, Inc. and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), VOOM has already produced 34.5 hours of content through Asian companies and has set the foundation for all future Asian HD production. Such successful HD co-productions now airing include, among others, fashion reality series like Style Me with Rachel Hunter, stylish travel documentaries like Ultra Eye Tokyo and sports documentaries like Rainforest Challenge: Muds, Guts and Glory.
As part of its global initiative, VOOM has also developed strategic representation alliances to take both its channels and programming into new territories throughout the world. As a result, the VOOM HD brand has seen exponential distribution growth in less than two years. Gregory Ang-as demonstrated above-has been instrumental in launching several VOOM HD channels into Asia. Nordic and Baltic distributor NonStop Television AB has scored extensive carriage of the VOOM HD channel in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Latvia, and international broadcaster and distributor Zonemedia helped facilitate a deal to launch the channel throughout the Middle East.
VOOM has also benefited from the consulting efforts of IBC's Jon Helmrich on global channel sales, and iD Distribution has sold more than 500 VOOM HD programming hours to more than 100 countries. Additionally, VOOM has been deployed in Canada on three branded channels operated by High Fidelity HDTV.
In the United States, VOOM operates a suite of 15 HD channels representing a wide array of programming genres and available via cable and satellite. VOOM's spring and summer productions alone include some 45 projects shot in over 65 different countries, with the resulting programs to air both domestically and internationally.
About VOOM HD Networks
Rainbow's VOOM HD Networks comprise the world's largest suite of high-definition content for distribution. With programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art, the VOOM HD Networks are available in the U.S. on cable and satellite via Cablevision's iO Digital Cable and Echostar's DISH Network, respectively. The 24/7 linear VOOM HD channel, which is available globally, is currently distributed in Scandinavia, Estonia, Latvia, Hong Kong and Singapore, and will soon debut in the Middle East. Similarly, select VOOM HD programming is available worldwide and has been licensed to viewers in more than 100 countries. Building on Rainbow's history of original programming innovation, VOOM HD was developed to meet the growing worldwide demand for quality high-definition programming.