Showtime and Mediacom Communications Reach New Carriage Agreement Encompassing High Definition and On Demand
February 1, 2005
NEW YORK and MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., Feb 01, 2005 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI) and Mediacom Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: MCCC), through its operating subsidiaries, have reached a new carriage agreement that enhances Mediacom's digital cable service by adding SHOWTIME ON DEMAND and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND. The new agreement also renews Mediacom's carriage of SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL, FLIX, SHOWTIME HD and THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD. The suite of SNI services are part of Mediacom's exciting new "Digital Star Pak" packages which are offered to the company's entire subscriber base.
Showtime Networks' programming services are featured in Mediacom's Two-Star Pak. This package includes up to 22 channels of SHOWTIME UNLIMITED in standard definition along with other services for one low price. In areas where Mediacom offers on demand capabilities, and in additional markets as they are launched, customers with the Two-Star Pak featuring SHOWTIME also receive SHOWTIME ON DEMAND and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND at no additional charge.
Both SHOWTIME HD and THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD are available in areas where Mediacom offers high-definition service and will be accessible in additional markets as Mediacom continues to roll out its HDTV service.
"SHOWTIME ON DEMAND, THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND and SHOWTIME HD and THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD offer 24-hour access to our movies and top quality original programming such as the critically-acclaimed series HUFF and the highly- anticipated series FAT ACTRESS. This will provide Mediacom subscribers with the optimum array of Showtime premium choices," said Showtime Networks' Executive Vice President Mark Greenberg. "Featuring SNI services, including on demand, in their new aggressive packaging will help Mediacom attract new customers to digital by increasing the value customers receive as they enter the category."
John Pascarelli, Mediacom's Executive Vice President, Operations stated, "Our agreement with Showtime Networks is part of our continuing effort to provide our subscribers with exclusive cable services like on demand, more pricing choices and a richer lineup of quality high-definition channels. We are working hard to bring these services and value packages to all of our customers."
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME(R) TOO(TM), SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE(R) and TMC xtra. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD(R), SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND(TM). SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL(R), which is a venture between NBC Universal, Robert Redford, and Showtime Networks Inc. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME(R) PPV. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.
About Mediacom Communications
Mediacom Communications is the nation's eighth largest cable television company and the leading cable operator focused on serving the smaller cities and towns in the United States. Mediacom Communications offers a wide array of broadband products and services, including traditional video services, digital television, video-on-demand, digital video recorders, high definition television and high-speed Internet access.
Mediacom Communications Forward Looking Statement
Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, you can identify those forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continues" or the negative of those words and other comparable words. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those Mediacom Communications anticipates. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward- looking statements include: competition in Mediacom Communications' video and high-speed Internet access businesses; Mediacom Communications' ability to achieve anticipated customer and revenue growth and to successfully introduce new products and services; increasing programming costs; changes in laws and regulations; Mediacom Communications' ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its debt service obligations and the other risks and uncertainties described in Mediacom Communications' annual report on Form 10-K and the other reports and documents Mediacom Communications files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mediacom Communications is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) publicly update or alter its forward-looking statements made in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Showtime Networks Inc.
Brooks Jewell, +1-212-708-1380, brooks.jewell@showtime.net, or Joan Ziff, +1-212-708-1590, [email protected], both of Trade PR, for Showtime Networks Inc.; or Marvin Rappaport, Media Relations of Mediacom Communications, +1-845-695-2704, [email protected]