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Whitney Holland Joins Hallmark Channels As Vice President, Acquisitions

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:28:39 +0000

Michelle Vicary, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Scheduling for Hallmark Channels has announced that Whitney Holland has been appointed Vice President, Acquisitions.

Holland will be based in the Los Angeles office reporting to Michelle Vicary.

Holland will help develop and implement the strategic programming vision of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel in collaboration with Vicary.

She will also be responsible for extensive analysis of audience research to pinpoint feature film acquisitions, suggest on-air promotional direction and schedule stunts and theme weeks.

She was Vice President, Program Planning, Scheduling and Acquisitions and was responsible for total day scheduling as well as managing long-term planning for Bravo before joining Hallmark channels.

Vicary said “We are thrilled to have Whitney join us with her successful track record spanning over 15 year. This is an exciting time as we grow Hallmark Movie Channel and welcome Martha Stewart to Hallmark Channel. She will undoubtedly be a huge asset to our management team.”

Weather Central Debut ’3D:LIVE Fusion’ At NAB 2010

admin — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:59:35 +0000

The leading provider of professional on-air, online, print, mobile and enterprise weather solutions and forecasting in North America ‘Weather Central LLC’ has started the next generation of the world’s most viewed on air broadcast weather platform ’3D:LIVE Fusion.’

This live demonstration at NAB 2010, April 12-15, on Booth SU912 shows the capability to deliver stunning weathercasts for 3D stereoscopic television channels.

The demonstration is produced and played out entirely from a current-generation 3D:LIVE Fusion system with software enhancements created by Weather Central to take advantage of the depth and perspective capabilities available to 3D channels. Sony contributed a stunning Bravia 3D television on which to showcase the output. Built on the latest 64-bit Windows 7 operating system, 3D:LIVE Fusion takes advantage of enhancements in hardware performance to enable the instant creation of stunning visuals. Resolution independent graphics and enhanced 3D objects for weather elements and cityscapes are inherent capabilities of the 3D:LIVE platform, enabling the creation of believable and immersive 3D weather stories.

Weather Central Vice President Steve Smedberg, said “While it remains to be seen how soon 3D will gain traction in the newsroom. It is important that our customers know that Weather Central systems deployed today will provide the performance and capability needed to take on tomorrow’s requirements. 3D:LIVE was built from the beginning without resolution or format constraints. We not only put 3D in the name; we’ve patented critical enabling technologies that will make believable 3D weather casting possible.”

Cox Communications Added Ten New HD Channels To Louisiana Programming Lineup

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:46:18 +0000

Cox Communications has launched ten new high-definition to Louisiana subscribers. Cox has added following HD channels:

BBC America HD – Channel 787
Disney XD HD – Channel 786
E! HD – Channel 757
ESPNews HD – Channel 738
Fuse HD – Channel 788
Investigation Discovery HD – Channel 749
More Max HD – Channel 799
MSNBC HD – Channel 764
The Tennis Channel HD – Channel 784 and
TMC HD – Channel 795

ESPN Regional Television Announces The Anaheim Convention Center For 76 Classic Field

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:42:11 +0000

ESPN Regional Television has announced the venue of the fourth annual 76 Classic in 2010. The Anaheim Convention Center near Disneyland will host the 76 Classic field which will feature eight schools, including 2009 NCAA Tournament participants California State University, Northridge and Oklahoma State and 2009 NIT Champion Penn State.

The 76 Classic event in 2010 will feature four games every day through Nov. 25, 26 and 28 and every team will compete in one game per day, advancing through a bracket-tournament format. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in a championship match Sunday, Nov. 28.

Clint Overby, senior director of events, ESPN Regional Television, said “Once again, an outstanding field will represent conferences from around the country for the 76 Classic. The 76 Classic showcases quality competition while it also provides an outstanding off-court experience for the student-athletes, coaches and staffs. Fans will have an opportunity to spend the weekend watching college basketball and enjoying all that Anaheim and Southern California have to offer.”

Outdoor Channel HD Launches On Time Warner Cable’s New York And New Jersey Systems

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:22:32 +0000

Outdoor Channel Holdings has entered an agreement with Time Warner Cable to launch Outdoor Channel in high-definition. This is the first time that Time Warner Cable launches fishing, hunting and adventure programming, Outdoor Channel HD to its high-definition subscribers in the New York City, Mount Vernon, and New Jersey.

Outdoor Channel and Time Warner have already renewed affiliation agreement across more than 150 markets in March to maintain and distribute Outdoor Channel network’s standard definition, high-definition and video-on-demand programming and this latest deal to launch the channel in HD in the New York City, Mount Vernon, and New Jersey adds to this.

Tom Hornish, COO for Outdoor Channel, said “This agreement further solidifies Outdoor Channel’s category leadership. We continue to make strategic investments in quality programming that we are delivering to a growing base of loyal viewers who demand the visual clarity of the great outdoors in HD. Outdoor Channel is currently the only full-time outdoor network with a robust HD offering, and this launch in the number 1 media market is evidence that our investment is paying off.”

Randy Brown, Senior Vice President of Affiliate Sales & Marketing said, “Outdoor Channel is excited to give those living in such a densely populated urban area the ability to watch some of their favorite outdoor activities in high quality, entertaining shows such as “Monster Fish,” “Savage Wild,” “Ultimate Match Fishing” and “The Best Defense: Survival all in HD.”

Midtel Cable TV To Launch ‘NFL RedZone Channel HD’ on Digital Lounge Tier on Sept. 13.

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:21:35 +0000

The Middleburgh Telephone Company (Midtel Cable TV) has signed an agreement with The NFL Network to launch ‘NFL RedZone channel’ in high-definition on Digital Lounge Tier on Sept. 13. The NFL RedZone channel will bring fans every touchdown of every game on Sunday afternoons.

NFL RedZone channel, produced by NFL Network, whips around every NFL game on Sunday afternoons delivering the touchdowns and most exciting moments live and in high definition. When a team goes inside the 20-yard line, fans see the crucial plays as they happen. The channel keeps fans up-to-date in real time, switching from game to game with live look-ins, highlights and a chance to see every important play.

NFL Network President and CEO Steve Bornstein, said: “NFL RedZone is one of the most exciting new products for football fans since the invention of instant replay. We are currently in discussions with distributors so fans will be able to watch this new channel on Sunday afternoons.”

Starz ‘Crash’ Sneak Previews Available On DirecTV’s The 101 Network From September 12

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:01:21 +0000

DirecTV has announced that The 101 Network will offer sneak previews of the second season of the Starz original series, “Crash,” in high-definition. DirecTV’s The 101 Network available exclusively to DirecTV subscribers will be treated with the first episode of the second season of “Crash” on September 12 at 8PM ET/PT and the second episode will be broadcast on September 19th at 8PM ET/PT.

The 101 Network entertains its viewers with exclusive, quality programming that includes acclaimed shows, previews of the season’s newest hits, and commercial-free entertainment, all in crystal clear HD.

Patty Ishimoto, vice president and General Manager of The 101 Network said,” DIRECTV is very pleased to bring back early sneak previews of ‘Crash’ to The 101 Network. Last year’s sneak preview on The 101 Network was a tremendous success and we are very much looking forward to offering it again to our viewers. Virtually all DIRECTV customers enjoy unprecedented value and entertainment via The 101 Network and we keep looking to make the channel a destination for exciting original programming.”

Bill Giorgio, Starz Entertainment Senior Vice President, Affiliate Sales and Marketing said, “The 101 Network continues to provide a compelling opportunity to showcase and preview Starz to the more than 18 million DIRECTV customers nationwide. Starz is very happy for the opportunity to bring back ‘Crash’ to DIRECTV’s The 101 Network for early, full-length sneak previews and to showcase the compelling series for its large subscriber base.”

Palladia To Premiere Summer’s Best Outdoor Concerts On ‘Outdoor Week 2009′ in HD

admin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:21:41 +0000

Palladia has announced that it will launch a seven day “Outdoor Week 2009″ concert series, starting on Tuesday, September 1. Palladia will premiere festivals featuring artists including Bruce Springsteen, Kings of Leon, Lily Allen, Gnarls Barkley, Metallica, Linkin Park, and many more, from the grasslands of the U.K. to the seaside of Spain, Palladia is taking viewers around the world to the biggest outdoor concerts of the year.

Palladia’s Outdoor Week 2009 will feature:

The Glastonbury Festival on Tuesday, September 1 at 9 PM
The line-up of Glastonbury Festival includes highlights from Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Lily Allen, Lady Gaga, Spinal Tap, Tom Jones, Black Eyed Peas, and countless others. This historic festival, held in the South West end of England, is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world and has featured some of the biggest artists in music history over the last 39 years.

Benicassim Music Festival on Wednesday, September 2 at 9 PM
Benicassim Music Festival features Franz Ferdinand, Glas Vegas, and Paul Weller, Maximo Park, Elbow, and White Lies. Held in the seaside resort of Benicassim on Costa del Azahar, Valencia, Spain, the festival attracts music heavy-weights who know how to put on a good show.

Roskilde Festival 2008 on Thursday, September 3 at 9 PM
Roskilde Festival 2008 features Kings of Leon, Gnarls Barkley, and The Streets. The Kings of Leon kick off the three-part concert series with an hour-long set; Gnarls Barkley and The Streets follow with energetic performances.

The Isle of Wight Festival on Friday, September 4 at 9 PM
The festival has grown rapidly, attracting some of the biggest names in alternative rock. This year The Ting Tings, The Pixies, Simple Minds, and The Prodigy will be performing at the Isle of Wight park in the U.K.

Sonisphere 2009 premieres in two parts on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6 at 9 PM
The Sonisphere Festival is rocking out with some of the biggest heavy metal acts in contemporary music. Headliners Metallica, Linkin Park, Alice in Chains and Anthrax are all jam packed into 2 hours of one of the liveliest rock fests the Knebworth House in the U.K. has seen.

Atlantic Broadband Launches Big Ten Network HD in Central And Northern Pennsylvania

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:49:12 +0000

Atlantic Broadband has reached an agreement with Big Ten Network on AUg.24 to launch the sports network in central and northern Pennsylvania beginning Sept. 1. Atlantic Broadband will deliver all 2009 season’s Penn State football games offered exclusively on the Big Ten Network, including the Sept. 5 game against Akron, the Sept. 12 game against Syracuse, the Sept. 19 game against Temple, and any other games to be scheduled later in the season.

Atlantic Broadband will launch the regional sports network in the Altoona-Johnstown areas of central Pennsylvania and the Bradford-Warren areas of northern Pennsylvania to its Value and Digital service level subscribers on Channel 66 and the high-definition simulcast can be seen by HD service subscribers on 766.

Dave Dane, Atlantic Broadband Senior Vice President and Regional General Manager said, “We are very pleased to bring Penn State fans the additional football coverage they have clamoring for. Our goal in these negotiations with the Big Ten Network, as always, was to do our best to satisfy customers’ specific programming requests, while also working to ensure that the cost of our video service packages remain as reasonable as possible. Atlantic Broadband is delighted to have brought this to a successful conclusion in time for the highly anticipated fall football season.

Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman agreed, “Penn State fans are among the most passionate in the Big Ten. With the football team playing in the Rose Bowl last season and current Top 10 ranking, along with the men’s basketball team’s run to the 2009 NIT title, interest will be greater than ever. We couldn’t be happier to have Atlantic Broadband join our growing list of affiliates.”

AT&T Launches AT&T U-verse Services in Memphis

admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:59:24 +0000

AT&T has announced that it will launch its AT&T U-verse services in Memphis market on Monday, Aug. 17. Memphis consumers can now select AT&T U-verse services that includes AT&T U-verse TV, AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet and AT&T U-verse Voice.

AT&T entering Tennessee market is due to The Competitive Cable and Video Services Act of 2008, HB 1421, signed into law by Gov. Bredesen on May 15, 2008 and AT&T U-verse launched across the greater Nashville-area in December 2008.

AT&T U-verse services will be alternative to cable delivered over AT&T’s advanced Internet Protocol network brings together U-verse TV, U-verse Internet, U-verse Voice and AT&T wireless services as a bundle.

Gregg Morton, president, AT&T Tennessee said, “Today’s launch of AT&T U-verse reflects our commitment to make the significant investments to bring Tennessee consumers a new era of true video competition. We are thrilled to offer this innovative video choice to customers in the Memphis metropolitan area. As we celebrate this Memphis launch, I want to remember the contributions of the Tennessee General Assembly to open Tennessee’s video services marketplace to competition which is truly benefiting consumers. I would like to again thank Memphis area legislators including Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh, Senator Mark Norris, House Speaker Pro Tem Lois DeBerry, Chairman Ulysses Jones and the many others who supported competition and choice for consumers.”