High-Definition, Co-Production Documentary Series Features World Cup Champ Bode Miller
New York, January 17, 2006 – WORLDSPORT HD, a new VOOM HD Network dedicated to global sports coverage, is teaming up with Jalbert Productions to create and co-produce The Alpine Chronicles, a documentary series that will offer a never-before-seen glimpse into the daily lives and daring rides of some of the world's best skiers: America's Alpine teams. Shot in exclusively in 1080i high definition, the series brings viewers slope side with the U.S. Ski Team, led by world champion and Olympic Gold-Medal hopeful Bode Miller, as they rise to the challenges of a long, grueling season on the World Cup Circuit. The announcement was made today by Mark DeAngelis, Vice President of Programming for WorldSport HD, one of the VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high-definition channels nationwide and currently available on DISH Network.
"Anytime we can showcase a world sport, beyond just from a win loss perspective, its an exciting experience for our audience," said Mark DeAngelis, VP of Programming for WorldSport HD. "We are thrilled to deliver programming, past the traditional sporting event coverage, to showcase a multi-layered insider's perspective from the athletes personalities to the coaching and preparation to the festivities surrounding this world-class event."
"The Alpine Chronicles reveals the heart and soul of alpine racing by looking at the day-to-day lives of the athletes as they prepare for some of the most formidable challenges of the World Cup Alpine Circuit," said Joe Jay Jalbert, President of Jalbert Productions. "This is truly a unique series of high-definition winter-sports programming."
The first season of series, consisting of four action-packed hour-long episodes filmed during the 2004-2005 season, and featuring the men's Alpine team led by Miller and Daron Rahlves, a nine-time World Cup winner, will air on four consecutive Tuesday nights beginning February 28 th at 8pm ET and 11PM ET. The Alpine Chronicles will give viewers an "almost better than being there perspective" with an in-depth look at the athletes, the crowds, history and tradition surrounding breathtaking World Cup venues, including Beaver Creek, Colorado and Wengen, Switzerland.
WorldSport HD will also produce eight hour-long episodes to air later in 2006, that follow the U.S. men's and women's alpine teams, the freestyle team and Nordic-combined and jumping team to events at Beaver Creek, Colorado; Aspen, Colorado and Killington, Vermont, among others. Feeding off the U.S. Ski Teams mantra, "best in the world," the cameras will catch all the action as they fine-tune their moves in preparation for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.
This month, VOOM HD announced its distribution agreement with Echostar Communications to carry all fifteen HD channels on its Dish Network. In October, VOOM HD solidified a co-production deal with Singapore to create mostly nonfiction niche programming. Since its launch in early 2005, VOOM has gone on to produce compelling original HD content for a wide variety of consumer interests including: the largest collection of HD horror films; a live auction of one-of-a-kind memorabilia; animation for kids of all ages and action-adventure sporting events. This new announcement for WorldSport HD confirms VOOM's commitment to growing and to investing in the brand's aggressive move into the marketplace.
About WorldSport HD
WORLDSPORT HD delivers a wide variety of top sporting events from around the globe, including live HD coverage of the Spanish Premiere Soccer League feature Real Madrid and sports superstar David Beckham.
About VOOM HD
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.