HDNews, the country’s first 24-hour high-definition (HD) news channel, named Christopher Long executive producer, and Jason Cali weather producer. Both Long and Cali will report directly to William J. Wright, general manager. HDNews is one of the VOOM HD Originals, created by Rainbow Media Holdings, the programming subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation. The VOOM HD Originals are available exclusively on VOOM, the first television service to provide a comprehensive array of high-definition HD programming to customers throughout the United States.
As executive producer, Long is responsible for overseeing five HDNews bureaus situated in the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest and West Coast providing coverage of major news stories from around the United States. Long joins HDNews after spending 16 years at WWOR-TV, New York, as line producer for their 10 PM news broadcast. Long began his career in news at WNET-TV, New York, and later worked for WPIX-TV, New York. Long is a winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence, Large Market TV, along with numerous Associated Press Awards including “Best New Jersey Election Coverage,” “Best Spot News Coverage” and “Best Coverage of a Continuing Breaking News Story.” He also is a four-time winner of the New York Emmy Award for “Outstanding Single Newscast,” and “Coverage of an Instant Breaking News Story.” Mr. Long is a New York University graduate holding an M.B.A. and a Bachelor of Fine Arts and lives with his wife in Manhattan.
As weather producer, Cali is responsible for producing HD weather reports and forecasts including real time updates of the latest national weather along with current temperatures. Using satellite and radar displays, Cali also alerts viewers to weather “hot spots,” across the country.
Mr. Cali joins HDNews from MyWeather & Weather Central in Madison, Wisconsin where he worked both as a meteorologist and in customer support. Prior to that, Cali was an on-air meteorologist at AccuWeather and television stations in Syracuse and Binghamton, New York.
“Chris and Jason have been working alongside me from the very beginning. They are both seasoned professionals and I’m thrilled to have them on board,” said William J. Wright, general manager, HDNews.
In addition to HDNews, the VOOM HD Originals include exclusive HD coverage of international soccer on WorldSport HD; unique animation entertainment on Animania HD; artistic masterpieces from around the world on Gallery HD; spine-chilling movies brought to life in hi-def on Monsters HD; exclusive coverage of sales from top auction houses on Auction HD; experimental non-narrative video art on MOOV; the latest pop music concerts on Rave HD; in-your-face action sports on Rush HD; the best in fashion, food and fine living on Ultra HD; and HD Cinema 10, a 10-channel multiplex of uncut, commercial-free movies in HD.
About VOOM and Rainbow DBS
VOOM, provided by Rainbow DBS, Cablevision System Corporation’s satellite service division, is the first television service to provide a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) programming for the rapidly growing but underserved HDTV audience. VOOM’s lineup of more than 30 HD channels features an exclusive package of brand-new, commercial-free channels such as WorldSport, Epics and Animania. The service also includes over 70 of the most popular cable channels in standard-definition (SD), 18 digital music channels, and over-the-air digital broadcast channels in HD, where available. VOOM is offered across the continental United States through local Sears retailers, by calling 1-800-GET-VOOM, or by visiting www.voom.com.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
The exclusive VOOM HD Originals 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.