September 4, 2008

Comcast Concludes Cuban Carriage Crisis

Cuban Solves Top MSO Carriage Conundrum

At long last, Mark Cuban has a deal for carriage of HDNet and HDNet Movies with Comcast. Now Comcast HD subs can see the excellent work Dan Rather has been doing on HDNet, as well as the good films Cuban has been presenting to viewers before they reach theaters. Well, it took only 7 years for Cuban to reel in the biggest fish in the pond. And one that put up a tough fight. Congrats, Mark.

The text of the release follows:

HDNet, the leader in high definition programming, today announced a carriage agreement to add HDNet and HDNet Movies to Comcast’s strong high definition (HD) programming line up.  The agreement enables Comcast, the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services, to provide the two HDNet networks to HD subscribers in many of its systems, including free On Demand programming, in addition to increasing Comcast's carriage of HDNet over the next year. 

"We’re thrilled to have a partnership that will provide Comcast’s customers with top-notch HD programming.  This agreement between two leading HD providers will help shape the ever-expanding world of high definition programming,” said Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet.  “This marketplace agreement makes HDNet’s cutting edge, independent programming accessible to many more cable homes across the country.” 

"With hundreds of HD choices available to Comcast customers, we believe that partnering with HDNet further complements our offering by bringing both compelling and high quality HD programming to our customers in this increasingly competitive marketplace," said Matt Bond, executive vice president, content acquisition, Comcast.  “This partnership is another example of the strides we’re making on our Project Infinity commitment to deliver more HD choices than anywhere else.”

Launched in September of 2001, HDNet became the world's first national television network broadcasting all of its programming in high definition. HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for critically acclaimed original programming, including television’s only HD news feature programs “HDNet World Report,” “Dan Rather Reports,” featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather.  HDNet also features championship sports coverage from MLS to MMA and groundbreaking music programming with the HDNet Concert Series.

HDNet Movies features a wide selection of major studio theatrical releases – all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio.  HDNet Movies also offers exclusive Sneak Previews of first run feature films to viewers before they premiere in theaters.