Definition And HD, Expands Free HD Line-Up With Addition Of Disney Channel HD And Other Popular Networks
New HD Channels Available To iO TV Customers Include ABC Family HD, Disney XD HD, And ESPNEWS HD
(March 23, 2010) Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) today announced the launch of ESPNU in standard-definition and HD, and the addition of several popular channels to its free HD line-up, including Disney Channel HD, ABC Family HD, Disney XD HD, and ESPNEWS HD. The channels will begin to appear in some locations today and will be available across Cablevision’s entire service area by Thursday.
ESPNU is a 24-hour college sports network featuring more than 600 live events (regular-season and championships) annually. Action includes a variety of top football and men’s and women’s basketball mixed with baseball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, ice hockey, wrestling and more. The network also has a wide-ranging, long-term agreement with the NCAA calling for extensive coverage of 22 NCAA Championships. ESPNU also offers comprehensive studio programming, such as SportsCenterU, ESPNU Recruiting Insider, SEC Weekly, The Bracket, BCS Countdown and simulcasts of ESPN Radio’s The Herd with Colin Cowherd.
“We are pleased to launch ESPNU and ESPNU HD, and to add popular services like Disney Channel and Disney XD to our free HD line-up, which now includes 118 high-definition channels, all available without the extra equipment or programming fees many of our competitors charge for HD,” said Gary Schanman, Cablevision’s senior vice president of video product management. “iO TV offers customers an expansive array of free HD, dozens of international programming options, unique and valuable local services like News 12 and MSG Varsity, thousands of titles of On Demand and advanced features like search, mobile DVR management, unique mosaic channels and more.”
ESPNU will be located on channel 144, and ESPNU HD on 794. Disney Channel HD will be at 731, ABC Family HD at 749, Disney XD HD at 750 and ESPNEWS HD at 796.
With nearly 2.9 million iO TV customers, more than 94 percent of Cablevision’s cable customers are iO TV digital cable customers, the highest digital penetration in the nation. iO TV offers customers access to more than 400 channels, including 53 premium movie channels, 46 channels of commercial-free digital music, more than 6,000 titles available on demand at all times, an interactive programming guide, more than 100 high-definition programming services and uniquely valuable and relevant local content through News 12, MSG Varsity and their companion interactive television applications.
Viewing high-definition programming generally requires a high-definition cable box or CableCARD and an HD-ready television set. A full array of approximately 100 HD VOD movies are also available, starting at $4.95 for a 24-hour rental. For complete local channel information, please visit http://optimum.com/channel_lineups.jsp.
-- Posted March 24, 2010