VOOM HD Becomes One of the First 24/7 High-Definition Channels in Asia
Hong Kong – March 21, 2007 – Fueled by the growing global demand for high-quality high-definition (HD) content, Rainbow HD Holdings LLC (“VOOM HD”), a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, (“Rainbow Media”) and PCCW Limited (“PCCW”) have signed a carriage agreement to launch the VOOM HD channel in Hong Kong. Today’s news is a milestone on two levels, as it marks the first launch of VOOM HD in Asia and one of the first 24/7 Asian HD channels.
“Everyday, HDTV transforms the entertainment experiences of more and more viewers worldwide, and this audience is hungry for content,” said Glenn Oakley, Senior Vice President, Global Operations and Business Development for VOOM HD Networks. “We are energized by the opportunity to team up with one of the world’s most successful IPTV pioneers in satisfying that hunger and breaking new ground with VOOM HD in Hong Kong.”
Available as a 24/7 feed, VOOM HD redefines television with the largest and most diverse collection of high-definition programming anywhere in the world. The channel’s exclusive content offers the international marketplace a passionate perspective on adventure travel, fashion, luxury lifestyle, art, live concerts, action sports and video gaming. VOOM HD viewers tune in to trek to the four corners of the globe; take front-row seats at the world’s leading fashion shows; make reservations at the most exclusive restaurants; discover the world of art from an entirely new perspective; get the best seats in the house for larger-than-life concert experiences; experience life on the edge with the world’s top athletes; and go behind the scenes with top developers as the next generation of video games comes alive.
“Rainbow has produced a high-quality, industry-leading channel that is sure to resonate among our taste-making viewers,” said Janice Lee, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Content Development of PCCW. “VOOM HD’s content is spectacular and we look forward to being the first to bring it to Hong Kong.”
PCCW is the largest and most comprehensive provider of communications service in Hong Kong and one of Asia’s leading players in ICT. Its IPTV serves an installed customers base of more than 700,000 in Hong Kong, making it the world’s largest IPTV multichannel video operator. The PCCW system is operated as an innovative, completely a la carte, interactive service. VOOM HD’s launch on PCCW, which was facilitated by Gregory Ang, President of Gang TV, is also innovative in its bi-format roll-out strategy, allowing viewers to view the content both in standard definition (SD) beginning April 18, 2007, and in HD shortly thereafter. The channel will be subtitled in Chinese for both SD and HD offerings.
Added Ang: “While VOOM HD programming is visually stunning when viewed in high-definition, it is also simply terrific entertainment in any format. PCCW’s roll-out recognizes HDTV as an emerging technology in Hong Kong, and allows the greatest number of viewers to enjoy VOOM while HDTV comes of age.”
Over the past year and a half, the VOOM HD brand has seen exponential growth in the international marketplace. In addition to the 500 programming hours sold to more than 50 countries, the global VOOM HD channel has launched on Scandinavia’s Canal Digital, Sweden’s Com Hem, Estonia’s Elion and Latvia’s IZZI, and the channel is expected to launch in Singapore later this year. VOOM has been deployed in Canada on three branded channels operated by High Fidelity TV, and Skylife’s SkyHD deployed a daily primetime VOOM HD branded programming block on Korea’s first and only HD programming service last September.
About VOOM HD Networks
Rainbow’s VOOM HD Networks comprise the world’s largest suite of high-definition content for distribution through satellite and cable operators. With programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art, the VOOM HD Networks are available in the U.S. on Echostar’s DISH Network . The 24/7 linear VOOM HD channel is available internationally, is currently distributed in Scandinavia, Estonia and Latvia, and is debuting in Asia with the launch on PCCW’s now TV. Similarly, select VOOM HD programming is available worldwide and has been licensed to viewers in more than 50 countries. Building on Rainbow’s history of original programming innovation, VOOM HD was developed to meet the growing worldwide demand for quality high-definition programming.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform programming for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, fuse, IFC, WE tv, Rainbow Sports Networks managed FSN Bay Area and FSN New England, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. The company also manages Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.