High-Definition Documentary Series, Co-produced with Conceptual Films, Uncovers the World of Fashion and Publishing
Half-Hour Series Features Fashion Icon Jeanne Beker
Slated to Premiere in September of 2006
New York, NY – April 25, 2006 – Ultra HD, the first channel devoted to the worlds of fashion, beauty and style in high-definition, announced today they have reached an agreement with Conceptual Films to co-produce Cover Stories, a half-hour HD documentary series that goes behind-the-scenes at FQ Magazine, a quarterly publication in Canada that marries the world of high fashion and celebrity while defining pop culture. The series is led by Editor-in-Chief and fashion industry icon Jeanne Beker and Michael King, CEO and Group Creative Director for the Kontent Group, the magazine's publisher. Ultra HD is one of the VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high-definition channels nationwide and currently available on DISH Network.
Each week, Cover Stories focuses on Beker and King and their team of professionals, working behind-the-scenes, including the editors, models, designers, photographers and celebrities that make up this eclectic world. Viewers witness the ins-and-outs at FQ Magazine including cameos from celebrities like Pierce Brosnan, Elle MacPherson, and Isabella Rosellini. In true documentary spirit, the show brings the inner workings of an alluring and intriguing world to light, exposing the egos behind the icons and the drama behind the dresses.
"Cover Stories delivers a rare glimpse into the reality where the glamour of high-end fashion meets the business of publishing – mainly through the eyes New Zealand born publishing executive Michael King and of fashion trailblazer Jeanne Beker, one of the top style correspondents in the world, and one of the first journalists to cover fashion as entertainment on TV," said Elizabeth Dewey, Vice President of Programming for Ultra HD. "Cover Stories not only reinforces our commitment to showcasing amazing and entertaining programming from all over the world, but it also contributes to our growing library of quality, high definition programming."
"We are very pleased to be working on a documentary series of this profile, with Ultra HD and VOOM. Their vision for the future of HD programming compliments where we feel the direction of HDTV should be going. Quality in both production value and content is the VOOM mandate and we are thrilled to be a part of that," said David Greener, President of Conceptual Films.
Fashion diva Jeanne Beker has had her finger on the pulse of the international style scene for almost 20 years. She's hosted "FT-Fashion Television" which is in over 80 countries and has helped pioneer fashion on the internet as editorial director of @fashion, the web's first fashion site. Currently she is Editor-in-Chief for FQ Magazine, a regular featured columnist with the Globe and Mail and a monthly style columnist for Inside Entertainment Magazine. In 2000, Jeanne wrote her autobiographical book, Jeanne Unbottled: Adventures In High Style and in the Fall of 2003, she launched her own line of bodywear at Sears across Canada called Inside Out by Jeanne Beker. She has been recognized by numerous organizations including the Fashion Group International for her impact on the fashion industry.
In February of this year, VOOM HD announced its distribution agreement with Echostar Communications to carry all fifteen HD channels on its Dish Network. Since its launch, Ultra HD has gone on to produce compelling original HD content including Fashion Avenue, a co-production with Electric Sky and hosted by British supermodel Jodie Kidd as she showcases shops from the most stylish streets in the world including Barcelona, Rome, and Prague and Behind The Label, a half-hour series, hosted by Judy Licht, offering candid interviews with established designers covering their business, personal life, philanthropy and many other personal achievements.
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 U.S. 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 Ultra HD
ULTRA HD is one of 15 high-definition channels that comprise VOOM HD, available on the Dish Network. ULTRA HD is the first channel devoted to the worlds of fashion, beauty and style in hi-definition. Runway coverage from Paris to Milan to New York becomes unparalleled when presented in stunning, colorful, visually breathtaking hi-def. ULTRA HD visits the most stylish cities in the world, bringing viewers a plethora of visually orgasmic experiences…from food to fashion to architecture and interior design.
About Conceptual Films
Conceptual Films is a proud Canadian company with more than a decade of experience in the film and television industry. Recent projects include the CBC event television documentary The Last Voyage of the Empress which was televised nationally on both the CBC and Radio Canada.
Conceptual has received numerous awards at festivals such as the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival and the Banff Television Festival for their writing, cinematography and development of film and television projects, including a finalist position in the world's richest pitch – CTV's Documart. Conceptual appears at all the major international television markets including Banff, NATPE, Hot Docs, MIPCOM and MIP TV. As well, Conceptual is home to an award-winning new media division.