Smorgasbord of programming and viewing options keeps customer appetite
highTORONTO, July 2 /CNW/ - Rogers Cable Communications Inc. today further
cements its position as the market leader in HD with the completed launch of
18 HD channels. With 34% of Rogers Digital Cable customers subscribing to the
high definition television service, and viewership of HD titles On Demand
doubling in the last year alone, it is clear that HD is the future of TV.
"If you've ever turned on the television and said 'there's nothing on'
it's because having more doesn't necessarily mean having what you want. What
matters most to our customers is having the most relevant programming. It's
about having the most choice and flexibility when watching HD TV," said David
Purdy, Vice President of Video Product Management, Rogers Cable. "With Rogers,
we have the most choice in HD programming with On Demand HD, the most HD
movies and most HD sports programming. With 24 channels available free with
your HD digital box, 72 total HD channels available and 255 HD titles
available On Demand - which is not available on satellite - it's clear we
offer the widest variety of HD content in Canada."HD channels Rogers launched in the past few weeks include:
- TSN2 HD - Historia HD
- RDS HD - RDI HD
- HBO2 Canada HD - TVA HD
- Sportsnet East HD - Series+ HD
- Sportsnet West HD - Super Ecran HD
- Sportsnet Pacific HD - TQS HD
- APTN HD - VRAK HD
- Canal D HD - Ztele HD
- Canal Vie HD - ARTV HDSo far this year, Rogers has launched 20 channels in HD, and is committed
to adding hundreds more programming choices through channel launches and
continued enhancements to On Demand HD programming. With the recent expansion
of the On Demand platform and the launch of the HD PVR Extender1000, Rogers
offers HD fanatics, HD programming whenever they want.
"When it comes to HD On Demand, there is no question that Rogers is the
leader. Our delivery of the best quality HD programming through the most
advanced and innovative technology is just one way we continue to dominate the
marketplace, bringing our 600,000 plus HD customers an unrivalled customizable
entertainment experience," Purdy continued.
Rogers recently added - in full HD quality - free primetime shows from
Citytv, Global and E! to the On Demand library, with award winning show 30
Rock joined by Breaking Bad. In addition, premium movie subscribers have
embraced On Demand as their preferred way to consume these channels; with HBO
Canada On Demand and Superchannel On Demand proving a favourite destination to
view series such as True Blood and Burn Notice.
Not only do customers get these great episodes in HD, but Rogers also has
over 100 HD movie titles available including many of the latest Hollywood
blockbusters such as Grand Torino, Seven Pounds and The Curious Case of
Benjamin Button with more titles being added each day. Movie lovers also get
access to timeless classics in HD quality with films such as Casablanca and
Deliverance rounding out the On Demand HD library.
Customer interest in personalizing their TV viewing experience has
boomed, with over 1 in 3 new HDTV customers adding an HD PVR to their service
in 2008. Amongst the many features of the Rogers HD PVR digital terminal is
the dual tuner (which allows customers to watch one show while recording
another, or watch a recorded show while recording two other shows at the same
time), pause, rewind and instant replay live television and record up to 25
hours of HDTV or 100 hours of regular television programming.
By coupling the HD PVR with the HD PVR Extender500 or the HD PVR
Extender1000, HD fanatics can record even more HD programming (an additional
60 hours of HD with the Extender500, or an extra 120 hours HD with the
Extender1000). Customers can rent an HD PVR or can purchase their very own HD
PVR, HD PVR Extender500, or HD PVR Extender1000(1) from their local Rogers
Plus outlet or from participating retail stores.
The full Rogers HD programming lineup (including all new channels,
regional availability and On Demand content) as well as details on getting the
right equipment needed to fully enjoy the Rogers HD experience can be found by
visiting www.rogers.com/hdAbout Rogers Cable:
-------------------Rogers Cable Communications Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rogers
Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RCI), a diversified Canadian
communications and media company. Rogers Cable's advanced digital two-way
network passes approximately 3.6 million homes in Ontario, New Brunswick and
Newfoundland, with 65% basic penetration of its homes passed. Rogers Cable
pioneered high speed Internet access and now 44% of homes passed by its cable
networks are Internet customers while 68% of its basic cable customers
subscribe to Rogers' Hi-Speed Internet service. With 69% digital penetration,
Rogers Cable offers a leading selection of High Definition TV programming, a
complete array of Rogers On Demand services (including Video on Demand (VOD),
Subscription VOD, Personal Video Recorders and Timeshifting channels), and an
extensive line-up of sports and multicultural programming. Rogers Cable now
offers home telephone service (voice-over-cable) to approximately 95% of its
cable territory and, combined with its circuit switched telephony subscribers,
has over 1 million local telephony customers. Rogers Cable is a national
provider of voice communications services, data networking, and broadband
Internet connectivity to small, medium and large businesses. In addition it
operates over 450 Rogers Retail stores.
Additional information on Rogers is available at www.rogers.com.--------------------
(1) PVR Extender500 and PVR Extender1000 only available through select
Rogers Plus stores