Rainbow Media to Launch Ultimate High-Definition World Destination and Culture Channe

[Gregg Lengling]

JERICHO, N.Y., June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 15, Rainbow Media, the
nation's leading source of high-definition programming will launch Equator HD,
a new channel dedicated to capturing the awe-inspiring sights, sounds and
stories that define the world's most exotic and unique locations in today's
most advanced viewing format.  Available exclusively on VOOM, the first
comprehensive high-definition satellite television service, Equator HD will
feature an eclectic mix of breathtaking documentaries, films and video essays
that illustrate these incredible world destinations and offer a rarely seen
glimpse inside fascinating cultural traditions as seen through the eyes of
people who call these places "home."
    "The goal of Equator HD is to savor natural sights and sounds, and make
viewers feel like they are actually in the hills of Tuscany or the mountains
of Tibet," said Bill Roberts, Vice President of Programming, Equator HD.  "The
unrivalled clarity of high-definition and immersive 5.1 surround sound allows
viewers to fully experience the stories of people, places and cultural
traditions as they unfold."
    Equator HD will serve as a guide to the ceremonies, celebrations and
rituals of both man and nature giving the viewer the feeling of being in the
moment through visually-stunning HD format.  The initial programming will
enable viewers to explore a wide range of cultures and countries, from the
picturesque country sides of Europe, to the farthest ends of the Far East.
Highlights include:

     * "Eye Over" -- reveals spectacular aerial views of the picturesque
       European countryside of England, France and Italy.
     * "Shirikami Mountains: Legacy of the Beech Forest" -- documents one year
       in this Japanese UNESCO world heritage site as the passing seasons take
       their toll on the Beech trees and the wildlife that inhabits the
       forest.
     * "Heavenly Maidens Dance Again" -- examines a traditional Cambodian
       cultural dance, that was suppressed by the Communist government and
       survived due to the courage and strength of one woman.
     * Video essays from India, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Egypt
       seen through the eyes of locals.

    Greg Moyer, President, Rainbow Regional Programming added, "With Equator
HD we look forward to working with some of the world's most acclaimed
cinematographers to capture life in the exotic corners of the world.  This
unique addition to VOOM's HD Originals allows viewers to see the world's most
fantastic places without leaving their home."
    Equator HD is one of the VOOM HD Originals, an all-inclusive package of 21
commercial-free channels created by Rainbow Media and available exclusively to
subscribers of VOOM, the first television service to offer a comprehensive
array of HD programming to customers throughout the continental United States.
In addition to Equator HD, the VOOM HD Originals include exclusive HD coverage
of international soccer on WorldSport HD; unique animation entertainment on
Animania HD; artistic masterpieces from around the world on Gallery HD; an
inside look at exclusive live auctions on Auction HD; spine-chilling movies
brought to life in hi-def on Monsters HD; 24/7 news shot in native HD on
HDNews; experimental non-narrative video art on MOOV; the latest pop music
concerts on Rave HD; in-your-face action sports on Rush HD; the best in
fashion, food and fine living on Ultra HD; and HD Cinema 10, a 10-channel
multiplex of uncut, commercial-free movies in HD, including Divine HD -- the
first ever high-definition 24/7 gay movie channel.

    About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
    The exclusive VOOM HD Originals package of 21 commercial-free HD channels
was created by Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.  A leader in sports, news and
entertainment programming, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of
Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC).  Rainbow Media owns and manages
national networks: AMC, Fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE:
Women's Entertainment; as well as the on-demand services: Mag Rack, Uncensored
On Demand, World Picks On Demand and World Picks Networks.  Rainbow Media's
other businesses include its regional programming services -- MetroChannels,
News 12 Networks and Rainbow Sports Networks -- in addition to the Rainbow
Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications.  Rainbow
Media is also a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net.

[gparris]

Has anyone "Got Voom"?

I  hope it lasts as a competitve edge to Directv and DishNetwork.

Looks like Voom is trying hard to deliver what only the other satellite companies can dream about, then again, it is not yet July and that is when Directv should come out with more HD Channels.

All Voom needs is an HD DVR (rental, hopefully, like its other equipment)...and
... the Sci-Fi Channel/USA Network (now primarily owned by GE/Universal) to make it really great.
Sci-Fi/USA have some great progammes that would be better in the digital, if not the HD realm, for viewing,as TWC analogue channel versions particularily are awful in not painful to watch.

Any welcome Voom HD Channel additions are appreciated, though, these other ones could make it or break it for some on the fence, trying to choose a provider, so to speak.

[Gregg Lengling]

... the Sci-Fi Channel/USA Network (now primarily owned by GE/Universal) to make it really great.
Sci-Fi/USA have some great progammes that would be better in the digital, if not the HD realm, for viewing,as TWC analogue channel versions particularily are awful in not painful to watch.

[/B]

And hopefully they won't compress the signal as much as Directv...it's interesting to note the difference in pictures due to the compression of the data.  And on SciFi it is readily apparent...now if only SciFi would understand that most SciFi viewers are Techies and would really like to see SciFi in HD!:bang:

[easylistener]

I have voom.  I love it.  I even cancelled directv.  I miss my techtv though.  PQ is the best I have seen yet.  It is well worth looking into.  Plus they installed a big 50 sum element wiengard.

[dlhoppe]

I have VOOM too.  It's awesome. They still need a little more content however. It's just right for me though since I don't tend to spend a lot of hours in front of the tv in the summer. They'll be adding a bunch more sat bandwidth in October and rumors are rampant about additional channels being added.

As for the EquatorHD channel, the previews they've been showing are nothing short of jaw-dropping. The camera work and PQ looks like it's going to be first class HD programming. I'm looking forward to it.

[gparris]

Thanks for responding about Voom..nice antenna, easylistener!;)

It's great they spared no expense on getting your locals SD and HD all the out there in West Bend with the antenna.
(HA! I'm in Kenosha).

What locals do you get HD and SD and are you anxiously awaiting for the Equator HD Channel?
Additionally, what HD package did you get (Va Va Voom)
and are the Cinemax HD etc., that the rest of us are missing, still?

Just curious...I get a lot of question from friends and such...

Gregg: You are SO right...Sci-Fi in HD...what Techie WOULDN'T
get it in HD - at cost - if they had to, (at least I know I would)!
I really don't remember from last year at this time when I had Directv that is was so compressed as you indicated...sad.

Maybe Voom will eventually add it now that the GE has a holding stake in Sci-Fi/USA Channels' Universal unit.

[dlhoppe]

We're really not that far from the towers here in West Bend. Less than 20 miles. I can get all the of digital signals out of Milw except for Fox. However, that should change any day now. I have a second antenna (with a combiner) pointed at Green Bay, so I can get both markets. Although right now, the VOOm receiver only "maps" the Milw stations.

Sci-Fi and USA are two of the channels rumored to be coming on board soon. It's anybody's guess as to whether that's really true. VOOM is pretty good at keeping things hush hush. The EquatorHD channel was a total surprise to everyone. They really kept the lid on that one until they started previewing it a couple of weeks ago.

I have the base package for now. I've only been a subscriber for a few weeks. If I upgrade to some premium channels or the Va Va Voom package, it won't be until end of fall or early winter. About the only thing I dislike about VOOM is the receiver. It's pretty bad, but I think it's really the firmware that's at fault. They're getting ready to push out a new firmware version that will fix some glitches as well as add a bunch of new features. All the VOOM subscribers are looking forward to that. The other biggest complaint from "Voomers" is that you can't install yourself. There's been a lot of griping going on about the quality of work being done on installs such as dish-alignment, OTA reception, etc..  I already had an excellent antenna installation, so all they had to do was plug my down-lead into the box and put up their dish (had a mount ready to go for that too).

[easylistener]

I get all of the Milw. sd and hd except fox.  I have been having some problems with 58 because I can't get them to climb my tower to put it up high.  I am very low in west bend.  

I have Va VA Voom right now because it is free for me right now do to the fact they have to come back and install a preamp on the antenna.  Also they didn't bring my a remote out so that is another reason.  I have one that I programed so I can use it for most things.

I look forward to all new HD channels.  So far I think that voom is going to spend over 200 for all the antenna and hardware they are putting on it.

What realy makes me mad was I put up a four bay antenna and it was getting 90's for all stations but when a big storm came through it must have done something to it because I get nothing now.  I tryed to reaim it.  I think something happened to the converter at the antenna and I can't get to the very top of the tower.