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International Entertainment News

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

iO(R) Goes 'International' With Launch of Diverse International Programming Services Across New York Metropolitan Area

iO(R) Goes 'International' With Launch of Diverse International Programming Services Across New York Metropolitan Area

iO International Offerings Include Nine In-Language Television Packages From Around the World, Featuring Dozens of Channels

Combined With Optimum Voice(R) World Call, Cablevision's Innovative Flat-Rate International Calling Plan, Optimum(R) Delivers Unsurpassed Choice and Value to International Customers

BETHPAGE, N.Y., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE:CVC) today announced the successful launch of iO International, a comprehensive and diverse array of nine distinct international in-language packages, across the company's entire service area, featuring dozens of channels. The new services feature a dynamic mix of television channels from around the world, presented in Spanish, Russian, Italian, Chinese, Korean, Hindi and other languages.

"iO International is a unique and valuable extension of our iO digital cable service, allowing our customers to watch television from around the world in the comfort and convenience of their New York-area homes and businesses," said Patricia Gottesman, Cablevision's executive vice president of product management and marketing. "We are excited to be able to offer this comprehensive array of international programming, and to build on the success of Optimum Voice World Call, our innovative flat-rate international calling plan, which already allows our customers to call the world for one low monthly price. With iO International, our customers can see the world with the quality, reliability and value they have come to expect from Optimum."

Cablevision has launched these new international programming services through an innovative technology known as switched digital video, which offers unlimited bandwidth for video programming across the company's advanced fiber- rich network. The successful launch of iO International represents that largest use of switched digital video technology ever in a single cable system.

iO International's slate of foreign language programming services includes:

* iO en espanol -- features more than 30 Spanish-language networks from
Latin America, South America, the Caribbean, Spain, Puerto Rico and
Mexico, as well as unlimited use of World Picks Latino On Demand, a
unique Spanish-language video on demand (VOD) service. iO en espanol is
available for an additional $4.95 per month for Family Cable and iO
digital cable customers, or $14.95 per month for customers of the
company's Broadcast Basic level of service. Channels include: Azteca
America, Canal Sur; Cartoon Network; Casa Club TV; Cine Latino; CNN en
Espanol; ESPN Deportes; Discovery en Espanol; EWTN Espanol; Fox Sports
en espanol; GOL TV; History Channel en Espanol; HTV musica; Infinito; La
Familia Network; Latin TV (LTV); Maria+Vision; Momentum TV; MTV Tr3s;
mun2; Puma TV; Sorpresa; Supercanal Caribe; telefe internacional;
Telemundo Puerto Rico; TOON Disney; TV Chile; TV Colombia; TVE
Internacional; Utilisima Satelital; DocuTVE and World Picks Latino On
Demand.

Univision, Telemundo, Telefutura are available to all Cablevision
customers as part of the Broadcast Basic line-up. Galavision is also
available in select areas. Additional Spanish-language programming
available for free on demand through iO includes Nick en Espanol and MTV
Tr3s. Musica Urbana, Pop Latino, Rock en Espanol and Salsa y Merengue
are included in iO's commercial-free digital music channel lineup.

* Russian Language Package features leading 24-hour Russian channels
including Channel 1 Russia (ORT), NTV America, RTN and RTVi. The
programming includes daily newscasts, entertainment, educational and
sports programs, movies and documentaries, talk and game shows, kids
programs and World Picks Russian on Demand (VOD). The complete package
is priced at $29.95 per month, or customers can purchase individual
channels of interest for $14.95 each per month.

* South Asian Package offers a number of distinctive programming options
including Sony Entertainment Television Asia, TV Asia, ITV Gold and Zee
TV providing entertainment and information for the South Asian
Community. This package also includes unlimited use of the VOD service
World Picks Hindi On Demand. The complete package is available for
$19.95 per month for Family Cable and iO customers, or $29.95 per month
as a companion to Broadcast Basic service. Individual channel
selections are also available for $9.95 per month.

* Korean Language Package consists of Korean channels MK TV and MBC. MK
TV provides 24 hour Korean programming including news, family
entertainment, talk shows and more. MBC, Korea's most popular network
includes dramas, soap operas, current affairs, sports and more. The
complete package is available for $14.95 per month for Family Cable and
iO customers, $24.95 per month with Broadcast Basic. Individual channel
selections are also available for $9.95/month.

* The Chinese Channel offers 24 hours of locally produced news,
entertainment, children's programming and more for $9.95 per month.

* RAI International promotes the rich culture of Italy through festivals,
concerts, movies, news, soccer and more for $9.95 per month.

* TV Japan is Japan's premium network, offering same-day programming live
from Japan including news, music, entertainment and more. This channel
is regularly $24.95 per month, but is available for a limited time at an
introductory price of $14.95 a month.

* TV Polonia offers 24 hour programming directly from Warsaw featuring
movies, news, sports, documentaries, soap operas, children's programming
for $9.95 per month.

* SPT offers 24-hour network programming for the Portuguese and Brazilian
communities including news, sports, films, concerts and more for $9.95
per month.

In addition to iO International's diverse array of foreign-language programming, digital customers also enjoy the interactive and on demand benefits of Cablevision's iO Interactive Optimum(R) digital cable service. With more than 2.3 million iO customers, more than 76 percent of Cablevision's cable customers are iO digital cable customers, the highest digital penetration in the nation. iO offers customers access to more than 240 channels, including 50 premium movie channels, 45 channels of commercial-free digital music, more than 1,400 titles available on demand at all times, an interactive programming guide, more than 20 high-definition programming services and groundbreaking interactive television applications including News 12 Interactive, and subscription games packages.

With Optimum Voice World Call, customers get up to 250 minutes per month of calling anywhere in the world from their Optimum Voice phone for a flat monthly fee of $19.95. Optimum Voice World Call has retired the destination- specific approach to international calls, delivering more value to customers than any other international calling plan.

About Cablevision

Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications 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: Interactive Optimum(R) digital television, Optimum Online high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable, and its Optimum Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, WE tv and other national and regional networks. In addition to its telecommunications and programming 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, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas.

Source: Cablevision Systems Corp.

CONTACT: Jim Maiella, +1-516-803-3947; or Sarah Chaikin,
+1-516-803-2352

Web site: http://www.cablevision.com/

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