Cablevision Adds Two Unique and Popular Networks to Leading High-Definition Line-Up

Discovery HD Theater And National Geographic Channel HD Bring Travel,

Nature, Wildlife And Culture From Across The Globe To iO(R) Digital Cable

Customers, With The Superior Picture And Sound Of High-Definition

    BETHPAGE, N.Y., March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision Systems
 Corp. ( CVC) today announced the addition of Discovery HD Theater and
 National Geographic HD to the growing list of high-definition channels
 available to digital cable customers across the company's entire service
 area, at no additional cost. Discovery HD Theater is available on channel
 727 and iO customers will find National Geographic Channel HD on channel
 726. Cablevision now offers 23 high-definition programming services
 including local broadcast stations, the most local sports in HD and a wide
 variety of entertainment genres. Unlike other providers, Cablevision does
 not charge an equipment or programming premium for HD programming.
     "We are pleased to add these unique, high-quality networks to our
 robust array of high-definition programming, and we plan to build on these
 additions with a significant expansion of HD channels in the coming
 months," said Theresa Chillianis, Cablevision's vice president of video
 product management. "Our high-capacity fiber network gives Cablevision the
 ability to continually exceed our customers' expectations and deliver
 additional value through our products, including the best HD programming
 with no additional fees or charges. We are confident our customers will
 enjoy Discovery HD Theater and National Geographic HD, in addition to the
 high-definition programming we already provide, and the new HD channels we
 plan to offer."
     "Having made considerable investments in HD over many years, Discovery
 offers a vast collection of content to support our distributors' HD
 business- building efforts and bring viewers the best in HD picture quality
 and sound," said Clint Stinchcomb, executive vice president and general
 manager, Discovery Emerging Networks Group. "The launch with Cablevision
 comes at a particularly opportune time as we premiere Planet Earth, one of
 our most ambitious HD events ever. We're very pleased that this
 groundbreaking series will be one of the first programs our new Cablevision
 viewers will see."
     "National Geographic is synonymous with spectacular imagery, whether
 emanating from the bottom of the sea, the most remote rainforest, or the
 most fascinating cultures anywhere on the planet." said Laureen Ong,
 President, National Geographic Channel. "NGC HD amplifies the immersive
 visual experience that continues to draw more viewers to the network every
 day. We're pleased to join the leading lineup of HD networks that
 Cablevision is offering its customers."
     Discovery HD Theater was the first 24-hour high-definition network to
 broadcast its content in brilliant 1080i and 5.1 digital Surround Sound. A
 standalone HD network from the Discovery Channel, Discovery HD Theater
 features high-definition programming in virtually all categories of
 entertainment from Discovery's family of networks, including wildlife,
 nature, travel, science, history, geography and more. Discovery HD Theater
 is committed to bringing viewers top-tier, original HD event programs such
 as Discovery Atlas HD and Planet Earth, as well as captivating series
 including Sunrise Earth, Destination HD, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die
 and Risk Takers.
     National Geographic Channel HD, a simulcast of the six-year-old
 National Geographic Channel, is the #1 most requested HD channel over the
 past two years according to Beta Brand Research and showcases such programs
 as Galapagos, a three-hour special that is the first in-depth, full access
 film made in over 20 years about the islands and their wondrous array of
 wildlife. Favorite original series include Naked Science, MegaStructures,
 Seconds From Disaster, and Explorer- all presented in stunning HD picture
 quality and sound.
     For iO customers with high-definition television sets, Cablevision
 offers HD-capable converter boxes at no additional cost over the standard
 box rental fee. In addition to High-definition feeds of premium movie
 networks are available to all customers who subscribe to the
 standard-definition version of the networks. High-definition video on
 demand movie titles are available anytime for $4.95 each, which includes
 full control over the viewing experience with the ability to pause,
 fast-forward and rewind.
     With nearly 2.5 million iO customers, more than 78 percent of
 Cablevision's cable customers are iO digital cable customers, the highest
 digital penetration in the nation. iO offers customers access to more than
 240 channels, including 50 premium movie channels, 45 channels of
 commercial- free digital music, more than 1,400 titles available on demand
 at all times, an interactive programming guide, 23 high-definition
 programming services and groundbreaking interactive television applications
 including News 12 Interactive, and subscription games packages.
     About Cablevision
     Cablevision Systems Corporation ( CVC) is one of the nation's
 leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable
 television operations serve more than 3 million households in the New York
 metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings
 include its iO: Interactive Optimum(R) digital television, Optimum Online
 high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable, and its
 Optimum Lightpath integrated business communications services.
 Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful
 programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, WE tv and other national and
 regional networks. In addition to its telecommunications and programming
 businesses, Cablevision owns Madison Square Garden and its sports teams,
 the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New
 York's famed Radio City Music Hall, and owns and operates Clearview
 Cinemas.
     About Discovery Communications, Inc.
     Discovery Communications, Inc. is the number-one nonfiction media
 company reaching more than 1.5 billion people in over 170 countries.
 Through TV and new media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include
 Discovery Channel, TLC, Travel Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Health.
 DCI is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications
 Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's
 founder and chairman. For more information please visit www.discovery.com.
     About Fox Cable Networks
     Fox Cable Networks, a unit of the Fox Networks Group, a wholly owned
 division of News Corporation (NWS), includes 30 domestic programming
 services in which News Corporation holds interests. Together these networks
 reach more than 400 million subscribing television homes and represent one
 of the media industry's largest and most diverse groups of programming
 operations. Those networks and related video-on-demand or high-definition
 extensions include general entertainment service FX; FSN and its 18
 owned-and-operated regional sports networks; Fox College Sports and Big Ten
 Network; National Geographic Channel and National Geographic Channel HD;
 SPEED; Fox Soccer Channel; Fox Sports en Espanol; Fox Movie Channel; action
 sports lifestyle network FUEL TV and Fox Reality. FCN also includes Fox
 Sports Enterprises, which manages interests in sports franchises and
 leading statistical information provider STATS, LLC.
 
 

SOURCE Cablevision Systems Corporation