Cablevision Adds MLB Network On January 1 To iO TV Lineup In Standard And High-Definition

Ultimate Destination for Baseball Fans Available At No Additional Cost, Largest Channel Debut in Cable History

Bethpage, NY (PRWEB) December 30, 2008 -- Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) today announced the addition of MLB Network to the iO TV® digital cable lineup in standard-definition and as part of iO TV's 68 channels of free HD. MLB Network will offer 24/7 coverage of live games, original programming, highlights from around the league, classic games, and more to customers across Cablevision's service area. The network will be available in HD on channel 790 and in standard-definition on channels 149 and 400. MLB Network will launch on January 1, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. ET in approximately 50 million homes nationwide as the largest network debut in cable history.

With 68 channels, Cablevision's high-definition programming line-up has more than tripled since the beginning of 2007, supporting the increasing demand for programming in this superior format among an HD customer base that has grown by 50 percent over the last year, to more than 1.3 million iO TV customers with at least one high-definition television and HD-enabled set-top box in the home today.

Cablevision is thrilled to bring MLB Network to fans of America's pastime as we countdown to spring training and the 2009 MLB season

iO TV delivers customers the best in sports, movies, entertainment and more as well as truly-free HD without the extra equipment costs or programming package fees charged by our competitors.

We are looking forward to launching MLB Network on Cablevision

MLB Network will be the ultimate destination for baseball fans, offering an insider's perspective on the sport that has never been seen before. This partnership helps us expand our reach and accomplish our goal of bringing MLB Network to as many fans as possible.

"Cablevision is thrilled to bring MLB Network to fans of America's pastime as we countdown to spring training and the 2009 MLB season," said John Trierweiler, Cablevision's senior vice president of product management. "iO TV delivers customers the best in sports, movies, entertainment and more as well as truly-free HD without the extra equipment costs or programming package fees charged by our competitors."

"We are looking forward to launching MLB Network on Cablevision," said Tony Petitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, MLB Network. "MLB Network will be the ultimate destination for baseball fans, offering an insider's perspective on the sport that has never been seen before. This partnership helps us expand our reach and accomplish our goal of bringing MLB Network to as many fans as possible."

MLB Network will launch on January 1, 2009 at 6:00pm ET with the debut episode of Hot Stove, followed by the original broadcast of Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. Hot Stove is MLB Network's live, nightly off-season studio show and will feature news, reports, and analysis of the moves clubs are making and planning in preparation for the upcoming season. The show will regularly air during the off-season at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.

With more than 2.8 million iO TV customers, 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, 68 high-definition programming services and uniquely valuable and relevant interactive television applications including News 12 Interactive. A high-definition cable box and HD-ready television set are required to view high-definition programming.

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.

Contacts: Patrick MacElroy, Cablevision, 516.803.1249
Matt Bourne, MLB Network, 212.931.7882

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