Rogers announces gigabit internet and world's largest commitment to live sports broadcasting in 4K with HDR

Launches 4K TV and 4K set top box; will broadcast over 100 live sporting events in 4K including every 2016 Toronto Blue Jays™ home game and over 20 marquee NHL games 

Introduces Rogers Ignite_TM Gigabit Internet for the best 4K streaming experience to entire cable footprint in 2016 

Partners with Netflix to deliver premium 4K streaming experience and secures over 100 hours of 4K content on shomi™

TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Rogers today announced it is bringing customers the next big thing in home entertainment with the launch of 4K ready gigabit internet speeds, a new 4K set top box, Rogers 4K TV and the world's largest commitment to live broadcasting in 4K with HDR. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151005/273991)

Customers will enjoy live 4K TV broadcasts - four times the pixels of HD for higher resolution and improved motion video. Rogers will also introduce high dynamic range (HDR) - a leading edge technology that produces real-life images with richer colour saturation, contrast and resolution - in April 2016 for the Blue Jays home opener.

"4K TV sets have been in the market for some time and 40 per cent of all TV sales are likely to be 4K this holiday season. However, until now live TV broadcasts in 4K have been few and far between and customers have not been able to get 4K set top boxes," said Guy Laurence, President and CEO, Rogers Communications. "We are solving both problems in one go with the world's largest commitment to 4K broadcasting and a new 4K set top box for customers that will allow customers to see sports and entertainment in the highest resolution and with the fastest internet speeds. 4K gets you closer to the action than the linesman and first base coach, and HDR brings those images to life with intense colour and contrast."

Commits to broadcasting over 100 live events in 4K
Rogers customers can access over 500 hours of live sports, movies and shows in 4K beginning in 2016, including:

• Every Toronto Blue Jays 2016 season home game (81) broadcast in 4K with HDR live on Sportsnet™
• Over 20 marquee NHL games broadcast this season in 4K on Sportsnet, starting with the January 23^rd Montreal Canadiens @ Toronto Maple Leafs game 
• Over 100 hours of 4K movies, series and TV shows on shomi
• An ever-growing catalog of Netflix original series in 4K such as Narcos, Marvel's Daredevil, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, Sense8, Grace and Frankie, Chef's Table, Bloodline, House of Cards and more

"As Canada's highest rated sports television network, Sportsnet continues to lead in innovative sports production with the introduction of 4K and HDR.  We look forward to giving our viewers the latest and best quality broadcasts in the world," said Scott Moore, President, Sportsnet & NHL Properties, Rogers.

"The Blue Jays are having a terrific season, and the fan enthusiasm in Canada is palpable heading into the Postseason," said Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. "That excitement will only continue into next season, when Rogers brings Blue Jays fans all its home broadcasts in 4K.  The technology will completely change how they experience the game at home.  Partners like Rogers spark innovation in the game and bring fans even closer to the action."

"As we go into year two of our 12-year partnership, it is exciting that Rogers is bringing even more innovation to the game and our fans," National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "4K will deliver a broadcast experience like no other in sports and I'm thrilled Canadian hockey fans will get even closer to the game and action with this technology." 

"Canadians love shomi and they will be able to enjoy an even sharper, higher resolution image when they are watching great movies and shows in 4K," said David Asch, Senior Vice President and General Manager, shomi. "4K content is on our roadmap and we look forward to delivering it to Canadians for the ultimate viewing experience."

Delivers gigabit internet speeds to entire footprint by end of 2016
Perfect for streaming 4K, Rogers Ignite Gigabit internet will start to roll out this year in downtown Toronto and the GTA, including: Harbourfront, Cabbagetown, Riverdale, King Street West, Queen Street West, the Financial District, Discovery District, Yonge and Bloor, and more, as well as Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax, and Whitby.  By the end of 2016, Rogers Ignite Gigabit internet will be available to over four million homes - Rogers entire cable footprint across Ontario and Atlantic Canada. This investment to bring customers gigabit internet speeds supports Rogers commitment to delivering the fastest speeds to the most Canadians. Today over 3.4 million homes in Ontario can get Rogers internet speeds up to five times faster than the competition can deliver to most homes.

"The number of devices connected to the internet in the home is increasing and they are consuming more internet every month. With our Gigabit roll out, customers can watch TV in 4K and still have all their devices in their home streaming movies and shows with clearer picture quality and less buffering," said Laurence, noting it's an experience telephone copper wire technology cannot deliver. "We don't have to pick and choose which customers can access the fastest speeds, our technology will deliver it to virtually all our customers. Canadians shouldn't have to wait for the best home entertainment experience and fastest internet speeds."

Even better streaming in 4K
A new partnership with Netflix will directly connect the Rogers network to Netflix servers, enabling a better Netflix experience with faster start-up times and superior image quality. Netflix will also be available on select cable set top boxes and Android devices from Rogers. 

"Our partnership with Rogers will make it even easier for Netflix members to watch their favourite shows and films on their TVs," said Bill Holmes, global head of business development at Netflix. "Members with a Rogers 4K set top box will be able to enjoy Netflix original series in 4K, a more immersive experience with stunning picture quality."

To be among the first to get Rogers 4K TV, 4K set top box and Rogers Ignite Gigabit internet with unlimited usage for $149.99, please visit Rogers.com/4K to reserve.

About Rogers
Rogers Communications is a leading diversified public Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services to consumers and businesses. Through Rogers Media, we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and digital media. Our stock is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit rogers.com.

SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.