NHL Network Will be Distributed by Charter Beginning in November
ST. LOUIS & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2007--Charter
Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) and National Hockey League (NHL)
have signed an agreement to launch NHL Network, the first national
network dedicated entirely to hockey, next month to Charter customers
in select U.S. markets.
NHL Network, which launched in Canada in 2001, gives fans 24-hour
access to the most comprehensive hockey coverage, both on and off the
ice. The network is broadcasting 50 live regular-season games in
addition to classic games, documentaries, instructional shows,
highlights and more.
The U.S. and Canada versions of NHL Network have similar
programming schedules. Initially, the major difference in the two
channels is in live NHL game selections, with each channel focusing on
games of greater interest to its fans. (All games subject to local
blackout).
"We are pleased to have Charter's customers join us for this
exciting inaugural season of NHL Network in the U.S.," said Jody
Shapiro, Group Vice President, Television & Media Ventures, NHL.
"Having Charter Communications sign on to offer NHL Network is a
significant advancement in offering 24-hour hockey programming to the
largest audience as possible."
"Charter is very excited to launch NHL Network. We are committed
to quality sports broadcasting, and delivering the value-added
programming that our customers want. NHL network is available on our
Digital Sports Tier, in the markets that have demonstrated the
greatest demand for professional hockey-related programming," said
Greg Rigdon, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for
Charter.
The signature show on NHL Network, NHL On The Fly, airs nightly
throughout the hockey season and features up-to-the minute hockey
information, live look-ins on games in progress, extended highlights,
overtime shootouts, real-time scores, interviews, pre- and post-game
reports and news conferences. Dan Pollard and Brian Duff rotate as
hosts and are joined in-studio for expert analysis by a variety of NHL
veterans, including Gary Green, Dave Reid and Bill Berg. Todd Lewis
and Jim Van Horne also contribute to the show on a regular basis. Fans
can tune in to NHL On The Fly: Final every night during the season
immediately following NHL On The Fly for a final wrap-up of the
night's action from around the NHL.
About Charter Communications
Charter Communications, Inc. is a leading broadband communications
company and the third-largest publicly traded cable operator in the
United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband
services, including Charter Digital(R) video entertainment
programming, Charter High-Speed(R) Internet access, and Charter
Telephone(R). Charter Business(TM) similarly provides scalable,
tailored and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to
business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access,
data networking, video and music entertainment services and business
telephone. Charter's advertising sales and production services are
sold under the Charter Media(R) brand. More information about Charter
can be found at www.charter.com.
About NHL Network
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a
24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off
the ice, including live NHL games featuring stars such as Sidney
Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. The network's daily signature show -
NHL On The Fly - offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games,
goals, shootouts, extended highlights, stellar saves, features,
interviews, pre- and post-game reports, team press conferences, expert
analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus
special event coverage from the NHL All-Star Game, NHL Stanley Cup
Final and NHL Entry Draft. Additional NHL Network programming includes
international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and
youth-oriented programs. NHL Network is operated out of Canada and is
available in the United States by contacting digital cable or
satellite providers.
About the NHL
The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest
of the four major professional team sports leagues in North America.
Today, the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the
League's international makeup, with players from more than 20
countries represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market
Research study, NHL fans are younger, more educated, more affluent,
and access content through digital means more than any other sport.
The NHL entertains more than 100 million fans each season in-arena and
through its partners in national television (VERSUS, NBC, TSN, CBC,
RDS, RIS, NASN, NHL Network and HDNet) and radio (Westwood One and XM
Radio). Through the NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the
NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer, Hockey's
All-Star Kids and NHL Diversity, and supports the charitable efforts
of all NHL players. For more information on the NHL, log on to
NHL.com.
NHL is a registered trademark and the NHL Shield, NHL Network name
and logo and the word mark Stanley Cup are trademarks of the National
Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.
CONTACT: Charter Communications
Anita Lamont, 314-543-2215
or
National Hockey League
Kerry McGovern, 212-789-2172
or
NHL Network
Andrea Goldstein, 416-332-7575
SOURCE: Charter Communications