Hippie
03-08-2004, 11:04 PM
Cabevision's iO: Interactive Optimum® Digital Cable Service Surpasses One Million Customers
Fastest Growing Service In Company's History: More Than 33 Percent Of Cablevision's Cable Customers Are Now iO Customers, Up From 6.5 Percent At End Of 2002
iO Features Hundreds Of Channels, Industry-Leading Video On Demand Service, Expansive High-Definition Programming At No Additional Cost, Groundbreaking Interactive Applications And Other Unique Benefits
Bethpage, NY, March 8, 2004 — Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) announced today that the number of iO: Interactive Optimum digital cable customers has exceeded one million, a key milestone that follows an unprecedented period of growth and customer acceptance that has made iO the fastest-growing service in Cablevision?s history. More than 33% of the company's cable customers are now iO customers, up from just 6.5% at the end of 2002, reflecting the enormous popularity and success of an industry-leading service that was first offered on a limited basis in late 2001 and did not become available across Cablevision's entire service area until last year.
"We have been enormously gratified by the strong consumer response to our iO digital cable service, which was very carefully conceived to incorporate features and benefits that are highly meaningful to customers and that leverage the capacity of Cablevision's fully-upgraded interactive network. iO also represents a service far beyond the technological reach of conventional satellite providers like DirecTV and Dish," said Tom Rutledge, Cablevision's president of cable and communications. "Our digital cable service is the perfect vehicle for Cablevision to demonstrate its singular ability to completely transform the television viewing experience. With more than one million iO customers today, it is clear the marketplace has responded."
In 2003, iO was recognized with Emmy Awards in two categories: "Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Television for an Interactive Television Service," and "Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Non-Traditional Programs or Platforms." The recognition further validated a service that was already experiencing breakaway acceptance in the marketplace, gaining nearly 700,000 new customers in 2003.
iO incorporates a number of advantages over traditional cable television service, and features that are not available from conventional satellite providers because of satellite's technological limitations. iO's many benefits include:
High-Definition Television (HDTV) — iO customers today have access to fourteen high-definition programming services, including popular local broadcast stations, sports and movie networks, and the nation's first and only high-definition video on demand service. iO's slate of HD programming, available to customers at no additional cost, includes WNBC New York, WCBS-TV New York, Thirteen HD (PBS), WNYW-5 (FOX), Bravo HD+, MSG Network, Fox Sports Net New York, HBO, Showtime, Cinemax HD, STARZ! HD, The Movie Channel HD, and iN DEMAND's INHD. High-definition programming available to iO customers also includes a continually-refreshed menu of on demand HD movies, including new releases and unique titles originally seen in IMAX® theaters that have never before been licensed for television.
Video On Demand — One of the cornerstones of the iO service has been the industry's most robust video on demand offering. iO customers have access to more than 700 titles on demand at all times, with full control over the viewing experience including the ability to stop, start, pause, fast-forward and rewind. iO's portfolio of on demand content includes titles available for unlimited viewing at no additional cost: Thirteen on Demand, Mag Rack and Sportskool; subscription video on demand services (SVODs) that can be viewed on an unlimited basis for a monthly fee: HBO on Demand, Showtime on Demand, Cinemax on Demand, Disney Channel on Demand, Anime Network on Demand, IFC Uncensored and Playboy on Demand; and a wide array of new release, classic favorite and high-definition films available for 24-hour viewing for a single purchase price.
International Programming Packages — In select areas, iO offers a number of international programming packages including iO en Español, a comprehensive tier of 30 Spanish-language networks available for an additional $14.95 per month. iO en Español also features the first ever Spanish-language subscription video on demand service. Additional international programming packages are available in the following languages: Indian/South Asian, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, German, Portuguese, Polish and French.
Interactive Television — In select areas, iO customers can access groundbreaking interactive applications offering local traffic and weather information, games, the ability to purchase theater and movie tickets and even choose from several different camera angles while watching live sporting events at Madison Square Garden and Shea Stadium. iO customers can also view news, sports and entertainment clips on demand as part of the service's interactive platform.
iO Showcase — The industry's first interactive promotional channels offering customers a one-screen glimpse into the best that iO has to offer, updated each week. Showcase features easy links to popular new release movies, subscription video on demand services, linear networks, games and other interactive applications.
iO offers customers access to more than 200 channels, including 50 premium movie channels, 45 channels of commercial-free digital music, more than 700 titles available on demand, an interactive programming guide, 14 high-definition programming services and groundbreaking interactive television applications. No other cable or satellite provider exceeds the breadth and depth of the iO service or gives customers more control over their television experience.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum digital television offering, Optimum Online high-speed Internet service, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable service, and its Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC (The Independent Film Channel), and other national and regional networks. Rainbow also is a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net. In 2003, Cablevision's Rainbow DBS launched its VOOM satellite service, the first service to offer a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) television programming. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses, Cablevision is the controlling owner of Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.
Fastest Growing Service In Company's History: More Than 33 Percent Of Cablevision's Cable Customers Are Now iO Customers, Up From 6.5 Percent At End Of 2002
iO Features Hundreds Of Channels, Industry-Leading Video On Demand Service, Expansive High-Definition Programming At No Additional Cost, Groundbreaking Interactive Applications And Other Unique Benefits
Bethpage, NY, March 8, 2004 — Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) announced today that the number of iO: Interactive Optimum digital cable customers has exceeded one million, a key milestone that follows an unprecedented period of growth and customer acceptance that has made iO the fastest-growing service in Cablevision?s history. More than 33% of the company's cable customers are now iO customers, up from just 6.5% at the end of 2002, reflecting the enormous popularity and success of an industry-leading service that was first offered on a limited basis in late 2001 and did not become available across Cablevision's entire service area until last year.
"We have been enormously gratified by the strong consumer response to our iO digital cable service, which was very carefully conceived to incorporate features and benefits that are highly meaningful to customers and that leverage the capacity of Cablevision's fully-upgraded interactive network. iO also represents a service far beyond the technological reach of conventional satellite providers like DirecTV and Dish," said Tom Rutledge, Cablevision's president of cable and communications. "Our digital cable service is the perfect vehicle for Cablevision to demonstrate its singular ability to completely transform the television viewing experience. With more than one million iO customers today, it is clear the marketplace has responded."
In 2003, iO was recognized with Emmy Awards in two categories: "Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Television for an Interactive Television Service," and "Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Non-Traditional Programs or Platforms." The recognition further validated a service that was already experiencing breakaway acceptance in the marketplace, gaining nearly 700,000 new customers in 2003.
iO incorporates a number of advantages over traditional cable television service, and features that are not available from conventional satellite providers because of satellite's technological limitations. iO's many benefits include:
High-Definition Television (HDTV) — iO customers today have access to fourteen high-definition programming services, including popular local broadcast stations, sports and movie networks, and the nation's first and only high-definition video on demand service. iO's slate of HD programming, available to customers at no additional cost, includes WNBC New York, WCBS-TV New York, Thirteen HD (PBS), WNYW-5 (FOX), Bravo HD+, MSG Network, Fox Sports Net New York, HBO, Showtime, Cinemax HD, STARZ! HD, The Movie Channel HD, and iN DEMAND's INHD. High-definition programming available to iO customers also includes a continually-refreshed menu of on demand HD movies, including new releases and unique titles originally seen in IMAX® theaters that have never before been licensed for television.
Video On Demand — One of the cornerstones of the iO service has been the industry's most robust video on demand offering. iO customers have access to more than 700 titles on demand at all times, with full control over the viewing experience including the ability to stop, start, pause, fast-forward and rewind. iO's portfolio of on demand content includes titles available for unlimited viewing at no additional cost: Thirteen on Demand, Mag Rack and Sportskool; subscription video on demand services (SVODs) that can be viewed on an unlimited basis for a monthly fee: HBO on Demand, Showtime on Demand, Cinemax on Demand, Disney Channel on Demand, Anime Network on Demand, IFC Uncensored and Playboy on Demand; and a wide array of new release, classic favorite and high-definition films available for 24-hour viewing for a single purchase price.
International Programming Packages — In select areas, iO offers a number of international programming packages including iO en Español, a comprehensive tier of 30 Spanish-language networks available for an additional $14.95 per month. iO en Español also features the first ever Spanish-language subscription video on demand service. Additional international programming packages are available in the following languages: Indian/South Asian, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, German, Portuguese, Polish and French.
Interactive Television — In select areas, iO customers can access groundbreaking interactive applications offering local traffic and weather information, games, the ability to purchase theater and movie tickets and even choose from several different camera angles while watching live sporting events at Madison Square Garden and Shea Stadium. iO customers can also view news, sports and entertainment clips on demand as part of the service's interactive platform.
iO Showcase — The industry's first interactive promotional channels offering customers a one-screen glimpse into the best that iO has to offer, updated each week. Showcase features easy links to popular new release movies, subscription video on demand services, linear networks, games and other interactive applications.
iO offers customers access to more than 200 channels, including 50 premium movie channels, 45 channels of commercial-free digital music, more than 700 titles available on demand, an interactive programming guide, 14 high-definition programming services and groundbreaking interactive television applications. No other cable or satellite provider exceeds the breadth and depth of the iO service or gives customers more control over their television experience.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum digital television offering, Optimum Online high-speed Internet service, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable service, and its Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC (The Independent Film Channel), and other national and regional networks. Rainbow also is a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net. In 2003, Cablevision's Rainbow DBS launched its VOOM satellite service, the first service to offer a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) television programming. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses, Cablevision is the controlling owner of Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.
