Cablevision Adds Comedy Central HD To iO TV High-Definition Lineup

All-Comedy Network Presenting Original Programming, Stand-Up Specials, Movies And More In HD At No Additional Cost

Bethpage, NY (PRWEB) January 13, 2009 -- Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) today announced the addition of Comedy Central HD to the company's iO TV® high-definition lineup which now offers customers access to 69 channels of free HD. Comedy Central presents Emmy® and Peabody® Award-winning series The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, South Park and The Sarah Silverman Program, as well as provocative original programming, stand-up and sketch comedy, plus offbeat comedy TV series and movies. The network will become available to customers across Cablevision's service area on iO TV channel 768 over a three-day period that begins today.

With more than 1.3 million customers taking HD service, Cablevision's HD penetration has reached nearly 50 percent of all iO TV households, demonstrating the rapid adoption of this superior television format. In addition to 69 channels of high-definition programming, iO TV features an expanding library of HD video-on-demand titles including critical favorites and top blockbusters from the summer of 2008, available through the On Demand menu.

"Comedy Central HD is a great addition to the iO TV high-definition lineup, and we are pleased to continue to enhance our truly-free HD experience through the launch of this popular channel in this superior format," said John Trierweiler, Cablevision's senior vice president of product management. "iO TV continues to deliver customers more value and the best in sports, movies, entertainment without the extra equipment costs or programming package fees charged by our competitors."

With more than 2.8 million iO TV customers, more than 90 percent of Cablevision's cable customers are iO TV digital cable customers, the highest digital penetration in the nation. iO TV offers customers access to up to 390 channels, including 53 premium movie channels, 48 channels of commercial-free digital music, more than 4,000 titles available on demand at all times, an interactive programming guide, 69 high-definition programming services and uniquely valuable and relevant interactive television applications including News 12 Interactive. Viewing high-definition programming requires a high-definition cable box or CableCARD and an HD-ready television set. HD VOD titles are available starting at $4.95.

About Cablevision

Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) is one of the nation's leading media and entertainment companies. Its cable television operations serve more than 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO TV® digital television, Optimum Online® high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice® digital voice-over-cable, and its Optimum Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv, through Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, and serves the New York area as publisher of Newsday and other niche publications through Newsday Media Group. In addition to these businesses, Cablevision owns 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, the Beacon Theatre, and the Chicago Theatre, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas.

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