Zonemedia to Take VOOM HD into Europe, Africa and Asia
New York, NY – October 30, 2006 – On the heels of its groundbreaking VOOM HD channel launch at MIPCOM, Rainbow HD Holdings LLC ("Rainbow"), a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, ("Rainbow Media"), has broadened the global channel's reach with a new distribution agreement. Rainbow has tapped Zonemedia (formerly known as Zone Vision Networks) to sell its 24/7 linear high-definition VOOM HD channel throughout much of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia.
VOOM HD offers the international marketplace a lineup of brilliantly produced high-definition (HD) programs selected from VOOM HD Networks' 15 thematic HD channels in the U.S. Its content includes signature programming from Equator HD (extraordinary places and people), Gallery HD (captivating stories from the art world), Gameplay HD (video gaming in HD), Rave HD, (live music in 5.1 surround sound), Rush HD (adventure sports), Treasure HD (people with a passion for collecting) and Ultra HD (fashion and luxury lifestyle).
"As we strategized the best possible distribution for VOOM HD, Zonemedia emerged as a particularly solid choice because of its strong track record in successfully delivering third-party channels throughout the world," said Glenn Oakley, Rainbow Media's Senior Vice President of Business Development. "VOOM HD's vast array of quality high-definition programming has great appeal to the international marketplace, and we believe Zonemedia will exploit this to the fullest."
Tanya Gugenheim, Zonemedia's Chief Business Development and New Media Officer added: "We are delighted to have signed our first high-definition representation deal with Rainbow Media. VOOM HD represents the very best of HD content from the world's biggest and best HD producer. With the rapid growth of HD television internationally, we believe this channel will become extremely popular with viewers the world over."
VOOM HD is already set for a November 1 launch in Scandinavia through a deal made by distribution company NonStop Television with Canal Digital. Today's news opens the channel for business throughout even more of the world, with carriage deals already in the works for possible announcement over the next few months.
In addition to its impending launch in Scandinavia, three VOOM branded channels have been launched in Canada, operated by High Fidelity TV: Treasure HD, Equator HD and Rush HD. Korea's SkyHD recently deployed a daily primetime VOOM HD branded programming block this past September.
Since launching its global expansion initiative at MIPCOM last year, Rainbow Media has also sold over 1,000 hours of programming from its VOOM HD, WE tv, Mag Rack and sportskool brands to broadcasters around the world, including China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Australia, New Zealand and India.
About Zonemedia
Based in London, Zonemedia is one of the leading international broadcasters, distributors and representatives of thematic television channels. The company was founded in 1991 and today has 18 offices and studios throughout Europe, the United States, Asia and Latin America. Zonemedia owns and operates six thematic channels: Zone Reality, Zone Europa, Zone Romantica, Zone Club, Zone Horror and Zone Fantasy, which are broadcast in over 125 countries in 22 languages, with over 150 million paying subscribers. In addition, Zonemedia has a successful channel representation business and currently represents over 30 international channels from such companies as Viacom, Turner, Hallmark, MTV, Discovery and Eurosport. Zonemedia also has a program distribution business and continues to acquire formats, series and specials from leading producers around the world. Zonemedia is 90% owned by Chellomedia.
About Chellomedia
Chellomedia, is the European based content division of Liberty Global, Inc and a leading international distributor of channels, content and video services. It currently owns and distributes 16 branded TV channels, On Demand and Interactive Services internationally as well a portfolio of Media Investments. Its operating companies and business units comprise: global thematic channels (Extreme Sports Channel, the channels of Zonemedia Networks), regionally focused channels (Chellomedia Iberia (Multicanal), Chellomedia Benelux and Chellomedia Central Europe) and services and investments (Chellomedia on demand, Chellomedia Interactive Services and Chellomedia Investments). Chellomedia's main operations are based in London, Amsterdam, Budapest and Madrid.
About Liberty Global
Liberty Global is the leading international cable operator offering advanced video, voice and Internet-access services to connect its customers to the world of entertainment, communications and information. As of June 30, 2006, Liberty Global operated state-of-the-art broadband communications networks that served approximately 13 million customers in 17 countries, principally located in Europe, Japan, Chile, and Australia. Liberty Global's operations also include significant media and programming businesses such as Jupiter TV in Japan and Chellomedia in Europe. Liberty Global is the leading international cable operator offering advanced video, voice and Internet-access services to connect its customers to the world of entertainment, communications and information.
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 Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands including popular national and regional television channels AMC, fuse, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), WE tv, and two FSN affiliated regional sports networks managed by Rainbow Sports Networks. The company also manages Mag Rack and sportskool, two original on-demand networks; VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere; IFC Entertainment, its film distribution, production and exhibition division; Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division; and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.