News Release
Charter Communications Launches NHL Network
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