Nelly Furtado Performs at Halftime Show
New York, November 16, 2006 – VOOM HD Network's WORLDSPORT HD, dedicated to live high-definition global sports coverage, will be the only channel in the U.S. to broadcast the Canadian Football League's (CFL) 94th Grey Cup Championship in high definition. The LIVE national coverage on November 19th begins with a pre-game show at 5:30pm ET and the kick-off is at 6:00pm ET on DISH channel 9477.
This year's Grey Cup, the oldest professional championship game in North America, will be played at Winnipeg, Manitoba, matching up the Montreal Alouettes and B.C. Lions. World-wide singing sensation Nelly Furtado, a native of Canada, will perform during the halftime show.
The Grey Cup Championship is the culmination of WORLDSPORT HD's coverage of the 2006 season. Beginning in June, WORLDSPORT HD has aired 22 live CFL games, which included the West Division Championships. WorldSport HD is part of the VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse collection of high-definition channels nationwide and currently available nationally on DISH Network.
"Football is such a popular sport in North America, and in high-definition, viewers see every aspect and angle of the sport clearly." said Greg Moyer, General Manager of VOOM HD Networks. "The CFL coverage has been an excellent addition to VOOM's already increasing library of visually stunning HD programming."
Unknown to many, Canada helped influence the development of the rules for modern American football in the United States. Canada's University of McGill played Harvard University in 1874. After the match, Harvard began introducing Canada's rules to the rest of the Ivy League teams. When compared to American football, CFL games are faster-paced because of the League's three-down rule, and are played on a larger field. The rosters of the CFL's eight teams include several hundred U.S. players, many of them U.S. colligate stars, creating a growing American popularity for the League.
About VOOM HD Networks
The VOOM HD Networks are the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere. Produced exclusively in true high definition and 5.1 Dolby® digital surround sound for distribution in the U.S. through satellite and cable operators, the 15 VOOM HD Networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. The VOOM HD Networks are commercial-free and available nationally on Echostar's DISH Network. Developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high definition programming, the VOOM HD Networks build 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.