Four New HD Channels Launch

[Gregg Lengling]

Four New HD Channels Launch with Dolby Digital 5.1; Bravo HD+, Cinemax HD, The Movie Channel HD, and Spice HD Equip for Dolby Multichannel Audio Broadcasting

Four more channels have announced that they will be delivering high-quality Dolby Digital 5.1 sound to their viewers to complement their HD programming. Bravo HD+, Cinemax HD, The Movie Channel HD, and Spice HD all use Dolby Digital broadcasting equipment.


Bravo HD began broadcasting in Dolby Digital 5.1 last year and will feature series such as The West Wing, the 2004 Summer Olympics, as well as arts and entertainment, including Cirque du Soleil's Varekai, Image Entertainment's Music in High Places concert specials, Mozart: Cosi fan Tutte, and Santana and Branford Marsalis in concert in Dolby Digital 5.1.

Cinemax HD began broadcasting in Dolby Digital 5.1 on November 12. Content presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 includes feature films such as Catch Me if You Can, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Antwone Fisher, Road to Perdition, Old School, Solaris, and Ghost Ship.

The Movie Channel HD launched on December 1 featuring programming such as Bandits, Hardball, Novocaine, Rollerball, and What's the Worst that Could Happen presented in Dolby Digital 5.1.

According to Mark Greenberg, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Communications for Showtime Networks Inc., "Our The Movie Channel HD viewers expect a certain quality not only of video, but of audio as well. The high-definition video content -- coupled with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack -- provides our HD customers with the best viewing experience available."

Spice HD launched its service December 1, and will present all of its original programming in Dolby Digital 5.1. Spice HD will offer more than 1,200 hours of native HD programming, including the live daily shows Spice Clips, The Nooner, and the reality series Unzipped.

"We outfitted our new production studio with state-of-the-art equipment across the board," said Jeff Jenest, General Manager, Spice Digital Networks. "This included selecting Dolby Digital 5.1. We have always brought the highest quality product to our audiences, and this audio complement is an important element in our delivery of HD."

"Many more HD services have launched recently, and Dolby Digital 5.1 is the natural accompaniment," said Tom Daily, Marketing Director, Professional Audio, Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound really draws viewers into the program, and broadcasters know that. Dolby Digital 5.1 is a 'must have' feature for HDTV broadcasts."