Original Rush HD Program “Farther Than the Eye Can See” to Air August 13 as Part of BBC’s New HD Initiative
New York, NY – August 7, 2006 – Further expanding Rainbow Media’s VOOM HD programming throughout Europe, iD Distribution has concluded negotiations to license Rush HD’s original “Farther Than the Eye Can See” to the BBC. The powerful documentary will premiere as a one-hour special on Sunday, August 13, at 9:00pm, as part of the BBC’s HD trial, an initiative which began in June. Marking a first on multiple fronts, “Farther Than the Eye Can See” is both an historic event and a showcase for high-definition programming.
“Farther Than the Eye Can See” is directed by award winning filmmaker Michael Brown and features the voiceover of acclaimed actor/narrator Stephen Rashbrook. Its riveting story profiles world-class athlete Erik Weihenmayer, who also happens to be completely blind. This documentary takes an intimate journey with Erik, as he embarks on one of the most successful Mount Everest expeditions ever, capturing raw emotion, humor and drama along the way. In the last 50 years, 200 lives have been lost and only 1000 people have made it to the summit.
“Over the 10 months since we announced the global expansion of Rainbow programming, we have been particularly pleased with international broadcasters’ growing positive reception to HD,” said Glenn Oakley, Rainbow’s Senior Vice President, Business Development. “It’s validating and encouraging to see the BBC recognizing the importance of this technology with their trials, and we are happy to be part of it.”
“We are delighted to include this programme as part of our HD trial,” said BBC head of HD Television Seetha Kumar. “As we grow the high-definition offerings available to our viewers, it is this level of rich storytelling quality that exemplifies the new technology available to them.”
Added iD Distribution Managing Director Sally Miles: “The quality of this documentary from Rainbow Media’s VOOM HD catalogue is earning high praise and keen interest from programmers around the globe as the industry moves to adopt HD as its standard of broadcast. And with clients like the BBC coming on board, Rainbow is definitely poised as the market leader in entertaining HD programming.”
Since Rainbow launched its international initiative in October 2005, iD Distribution has sold over 600 hours of VOOM HD programming to broadcasters around the world, including China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, the UK, Scandinavia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Australia, New Zealand and India.
About iD Distribution
iD Distribution is a dynamic company launched in 2004 with the investment backing of Ingenious Media. Working with some of the top UK and US production companies and broadcasters representing a new and exciting catalogue of programs and formats in the entertainment, factual, reality and lifestyle genres, iD Distribution is committed to providing the best service to production companies and broadcasters.
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.
About the BBC’s HD Trial
UK public broadcaster the British Broadcasting Corporation is running a trial of high definition broadcasting in 2006/2007. It includes some of the best BBC sport, drama, events and documentaries for a few hours each day.
The BBC trial will allow the BBC to test technical delivery of HD and find out how the audience values BBC HD programming, to inform any ongoing offer.
The non-subscription trial is available in the UK on satellite and through Telewest cable. The BBC is also undertaking a small scale technical trial of high definition broadcasts on digital terrestrial television, in partnership with other broadcasters ITV, Channel 4 and Five.
More information can be found www.bbc.co.uk/hd