Deliver Your News to the World

Cablevision’s IO® Digital Cable Customers Will Be First To View BBC World News In The U.S.


WEBWIRE

- Cablevision’s iO® digital cable customers will be the first audience in the United States to view the BBC’s international news and information channel 24-hours a day 7 days a week -

(April [10], 2006), BBC World Ltd announced its first major affiliate distribution deal in the U.S. with Cablevision Systems Corporation. The new deal comes just two months after BBC World Ltd. announced a partnership agreement with Discovery to distribute the 24-hour channel in the U.S.
Later this month, BBC World News will be available to all iO: Interactive Optimum® digital cable customers throughout Cablevision’s New York metropolitan service area.
BBC World News is a unique proposition for U.S. audiences, as it offers a truly global news agenda and perspective with unmatched, impartial, in-depth analysis of breaking news and events from around the world.

Richard Sambrook, director of the BBC Global News Division commented: “Studies show us that there’s a huge increase in U.S. audience demand for international news, but domestic U.S. networks seem to be focusing on fewer and fewer international stories. The BBC’s massive newsgathering strength means we’re able to bring audiences breaking news stories from anywhere in the world within minutes. We are very pleased to have secured our first major distribution agreement in the U.S. before such a discriminating and significant audience.”

BBC World News has access to 2000 journalists, 250 foreign correspondents and more than 50 newsgathering bureaux across the world.

“BBC World News is a quality addition to our iO® digital cable service, and we are pleased that our customers will be the first in the nation to experience this compelling programming service,” said Patricia Gottesman, Cablevision’s executive vice president of product management and marketing.







BBC World News programming includes coverage of U.S. news events of international importance and programming that explains not only what is happening - but why, putting news first. The channel also offers a wealth of other content including business news, sports news, exclusive interviews with international newsmakers, current affairs programming and documentaries.

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‘Note to Editors’

BBC World News, the BBC’s commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World Ltd, a member of the BBC’s commercial group of companies.

BBC World News is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 279 million households (139 million 24-hour homes) and more than one million hotel rooms. BBC World News launched in its present format in 1995 and is funded by advertising and subscription.

U.S. audiences can also view BBC World News via 30-minute BBC World News programmes shown daily on 229 PBS stations throughout the U.S. and on BBC America each weekday morning from 6am to 9am ET, and a 30-minute program each weekday evening at 6pm ET.

Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation’s leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company’s advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum® digital television, Optimum Online high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable, and its Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision’s Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, WE 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.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in 170 countries and territories with nearly 1.4 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI’s over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 27 network entertainment brands, including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery Kids en Español, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time. DCI’s other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI’s ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB); Cox Communications, Inc.; Advance/Newhouse Communications; and John S. Hendricks, the Company’s Founder and Chairman.



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