JERICHO, N.Y., February 12, 2004 – Today, Rainbow DBS’ VOOM breaks new ground by launching the first ever 24-hour a day, 7-days-a-week national high-definition (HD) news channel, HDNews (HDN). Viewers of HDN receive news headlines, weather information, sports highlights, and more with a true-to-life picture that’s nearly as real as being on the scene. HDN is available exclusively to subscribers of VOOM, the first television service to offer a full array of HD programming to customers throughout the continental United States. With more than 30 HD channels, 21 of which are exclusive, VOOM offers far more HD programming than any other satellite or cable service.
HDN features a news-wheel of top headlines, national weather, sports highlights, business updates, and feature material in the categories of health, science, showbiz news and more. HDN is the first and only national news channel to offer all of its programming in native high-definition, including news footage, graphics, and in-studio presentation. These visually stunning images create a rich sensory experience for the viewer, making HDN unlike any other news service available today. Newscasters anchor from the custom state-of-the-art set located in Woodbury, New York while regional correspondents based in New York City, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami ensure every area of the United States is covered.
“HDNews satisfies what was an unmet need for owners of high-definition television sets,” said Pat Dolan, President of News for Rainbow Media. “HDN delivers a newscast that is both journalistically sound and showcases the incredible high definition technology available today.” Dolan added, “HDN is a result of Rainbow Media’s ongoing commitment to providing its customers with news that fits their lifestyles. Rainbow has been on the cutting edge of this genre since the launch more than 17 years ago of the first regional news channel in the U.S., News 12 Networks.”
HDN is headed by veteran news director Will J. Wright. Wright served as the news director of New York’s WWOR-TV for than 9 years and was most recently Executive Producer for BET Nightly News. Under his leadership, BET’s ratings doubled from 2002 to 2003. Wright’s accomplishments include multiple Emmy awards, Associated Press Awards, and International Film Festival awards.
“With HDN, VOOM is setting the standard for high-definition news,” said Will Wright, General Manager, HDNews. “A team of highly-skilled professionals, including a consortium of leading
TV technology companies, created a system for broadcasting news in high-definition that has never before existed.”
Along with Wright, several notable organizations contributed to the look of HDN. Among them is Broadway and Hollywood set designer Tim Hunter, who created an anchor set unlike any other in television, entirely constructed for HD viewing. Additionally, Pyburn Films created a vivid graphics package that complements the stunning images presented on the channel. ACCU-weather developed a high-definition weather offering for HDN, allowing for constantly updated weather information around the country with custom maps, graphics, and weather technology.
About VOOM and Rainbow DBS
VOOM is the first multi-channel video service (MCVS) platform built specifically to deliver HDTV for the rapidly expanding home entertainment market. VOOM offers more than 30 premium high-definition channels to consumers across the continental United States, including an exclusive VOOM package of 21 brand-new, commercial-free channels such as HDNews, WorldSport, Epics and Animania. VOOM is provided by Rainbow DBS, the satellite services division of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Consumers may purchase the VOOM equipment and sign up for the service through local Sears retailers, by calling 1800-GET-VOOM, or by visiting www.voom.com.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
The exclusive VOOM package of 21 commercial-free HD channels was created by Rainbow Media Holdings LLC. A leader in sports, news and entertainment programming, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). Rainbow Media owns and manages national networks: AMC, Fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women’s Entertainment; as well as the on-demand services: Mag Rack, Uncensored On Demand, World Picks On Demand and World Picks Networks. Rainbow Media’s other businesses include its regional programming services – MetroChannels, News 12 Networks and Rainbow Sports Networks – in addition to the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. Rainbow Media is also a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net.