'Universal HD' to Offer Hundreds of Hours of HD Programming Featuring Best HD
Content from the NBC Universal Library
Englewood Cliffs, NJ November 9, 2004 NBC Universal Cable will relaunch
Bravo HD+ to Universal HD, offering the best programming from the NBC Universal
library in HD, beginning December 1, it was announced today by David Zaslav,
President, NBC Universal Cable and Jeff Gaspin, President, NBC Universal Cable
Entertainment and Cross-Network Strategy.
"The acquisition of Universal provided us with an opportunity to offer an even
more compelling HD service," said Zaslav. "The launch of Universal HD is a
testament to our commitment to offer more meaningful content that meets the
needs of our distributors and viewers. It is the first of many ways that NBC
Universal will deliver high-quality programming on a new platform such as HD and
VOD."
"The extensive NBC Universal library allowed us to create the pre-eminent
entertainment HD service," said Gaspin. "There is a lot of excitement around HD
right now, and we wanted to be ahead of the curve with the highest-quality HD
programming out there. We are drawing from all corners of NBC Universal's vast
entertainment and sports libraries to provide a channel with appeal to viewers
and cable operators. This is the kind of entertainment channel owners of HD
sets have been asking for."
At launch the network will be available to more than 25 million subscribers
through distribution deals with DIRECTV, Cablevision, Cox, Insight, Mediacom,
Voom and others.
Universal HD will feature blockbuster films, unedited and uninterrupted,
including "Backdraft," "Back to the Future," "Billy Madison," "Far and Away,"
"Jaws," "The River Wild" and "Sea of Love;" award-wining dramas including SCI
FI's "Battlestar Galactica," USA's "The District," "Karen Sisco," "Law & Order:
SVU" and "Monk;" top rated sports such as the US Open and the 2004 Summer
Olympics and performance arts and entertainment.
Universal HD will be presented as Bravo HD+ was, as a distinct channel with its
own unique schedule. Marketing efforts supporting Universal HD include targeted
local and national digital HD campaigns. Additionally, NBC Universal will cross
promote through its resources of broadcast and cable networks. Specific
programming information and schedules will be available at a later date.
About Universal HD
Universal HD, an NBC Universal Cable network, launched in fourth quarter 2004 is
currently available to more than 25 million homes in 100% 1080i HD, 24/7.
Universal HD offers the best of NBC Universal's library in HD. Programming
includes unedited and uninterrupted films, award winning dramas, series, sports,
specials and performance arts programming all from the Universal library.
About NBC Universal Cable
NBC Universal Cable, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's preeminent
media companies, drives the company's cable strategic development and growth
including video-on-demand, pay-per-view, HDTV and retransmission consent, and
oversees the cable distribution, marketing and local ad sales of twelve
properties (Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, mun2, SCI FI, ShopNBC, Telemundo,
Trio, Universal HD, USA and the Olympics on cable). NBC Universal Cable also
directs and manages the company's cable and new media investments including A&E,
The History Channel, History Channel International, The Biography Channel,
National Geographic International, the Sundance Channel and Tivo
