Sundance Channel and WE tv Set to Launch on Korea’s Skylife
New York, January 6, 2010 – Reaching another milestone in the distribution of its brands throughout Asia, Rainbow Media has secured licensing from the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) that will allow the launch of Sundance Channel and WE tv in Korea. Skylife, the country’s only digital satellite pay-tv operator, became the first Korean platform to take advantage of the new license and launched the two channels on January 1, 2010, as part of its high-definition package.
Sundance Channel (www.SundanceChannel.com)-available on Skylife on channel 68-under the creative direction of Robert Redford, reaches more than 33 million subscribers in the U.S. and recently launched in Singapore, France and Belgium. Its content features a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries and original programs. Skylife’s HD viewers will find original series such as Man Shops Globe and The Lazy Environmentalis; the premiere limited series 100 Mile Challenge; and coveted indie films like Lonesome Jim starring Casey Affleck and Liv Tyler, and directed by Steve Buscemi, and How is Your Fish Today by director, Xiaolu Guo.
Reaching more than 75 million U.S. households, WE tv (www.WEtv.com)-available on Skylife on channel 109-is the premier source for women looking to satisfy their curiosity with fascinating, original stories and entertaining, informative content relevant to key stages of their lives. Viewers will tune into such signature series as My Fair Wedding, Raising Sextuplets, Bridezillas, Amazing Wedding Cakes, and The Locator.
"Securing this license is momentous for us, as it opens the door to a whole new market for our brands-a market of early adopters who share the sensibilities catered to by Sundance Channel and WE tv," said Ed Carroll, Chief Operating Officer, Rainbow Entertainment Services. "We’re happy to launch on Skylife and look forward to a long future serving Korea."
"With the launch of Sundance Channel and WE tv, Skylife is now offering its viewers as many as 50 HD channels, more than any other pay-tv platforms in Korea. The truly global networks like Sundance Channel and WE tv will help us build such a strong brand in this competitive market. I hope Korean viewers can now enjoy top-quality HD programming," said Yoon-chul Kim, VP, Head of Communication, Skylife.
About Skylife (Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting Co. Ltd.)
Skylife is Korea’s first and only digital satellite broadcasting company. Skylife provides over 200 video and audio channels including 50 HD channels such as Sundance Channel and WE tv. Launching its service in 2002, Skylife holds over 2.4 million subscribers as of December 1, 2009.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media owns and operates some of the world’s most popular and award-winning entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, Wedding Central and IFC Entertainment (IFC Center, IFC Festival Direct, IFC Films, IFC In Theaters and IFC Productions). Additional information about Rainbow Media’s multiplatform brands is available at www.rainbow-media.com.