"This is a watershed moment in the development of our iO digital cable service, because it represents the extension of innovative interactive applications, which had formerly been available only in select areas, across our entire customer base," said Patrick Donoghue, Cablevision's vice president of interactive television development and operations. "All of our nearly 1.1 million iO customers now have access to this groundbreaking functionality and compelling content, further leveraging the enormous capacity of our network and giving our digital cable service an even greater competitive advantage over conventional satellite providers."
With the launch of ITV applications across its entire service area, all of Cablevision's iO digital cable customers have access to the following services at no additional cost:
Metro Weather Interactive, featuring intensely localized weather information and forecasts, in addition to comprehensive reports on the region, nation and world. The fully-interactive service also includes detailed marine forecasts and advisories.
Metro Traffic Interactive, featuring local and regional traffic information including delay advisories, specific reports on area bridges and tunnels, road conditions and -- in select areas - live camera shots of frequently traversed roadways.
iO Dashboard, an interactive information portal, with embedded video, that enables viewers to scan current news, sports and entertainment headlines, in addition to viewing personally-relevant traffic, weather, lottery and horoscope information.
iO Showcase, the innovative promotional channel designed by Cablevision to help iO customers identify unique and interesting elements of its digital cable service, including new on demand titles, subscription video on demand services, high-definition programming and other benefits.
Move 'n Match Puzzles, an entertaining and educational puzzle game for young children.
The iO Games play-for-fun "Casino" package includes seven captivating interactive gaming favorites developed by Zone4Play, the leading developer and provider of betting and gambling applications for interactive television subscribers. As with all iO Games, free demos are available on a trial basis. Players draw iO-branded cards, throw dice and drop coins with a touch of the remote control. Top players are able to post their scores on leader boards that are visible across Cablevision's service area.
"The addition of these popular casino games will create additional momentum for a service that is already becoming popular with our customers," Donoghue said. "We've developed a compelling interface and intuitive controls enhanced with incredible graphics that are as real to a casino floor as you can get on television. As we've seen with the success of iO Games' Variety Pak, which we launched earlier this month, there is a lot of excitement and interest in this type of interactive entertainment."
The iO Games "Casino" package includes Blackjack, Caribbean Poker, Roulette, Video Poker, Battle Royal, Slots and Keno. The iO Games "Variety Pak" and "Casino" are each available for unlimited play for the monthly subscription price of $4.95. In the coming weeks, Cablevision will make it even more convenient for iO customers to subscribe to interactive games services by adding the ability to upgrade using only a television remote control and on-screen prompts.
Nearly 700,000 iO customers were added in 2003, for a current total of nearly 1.1 million. Today more than 36 percent of Cablevision's cable customers are iO customers, up from just 13.6 percent one year ago, reflecting the breakaway success of a service that was first offered on a limited basis in late 2001 and did not become available across Cablevision's entire service area until late last year.
This dramatic consumer adoption of iO in 2003 was complemented by strong industry recognition, including Emmy Awards in two categories: "Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Television for an Interactive Television Service," and "Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Non-Traditional Programs or Platforms."
iO offers customers access to more than 200 channels, including 50 premium movie channels, 45 channels of commercial-free digital music, more than 700 titles available on demand, an interactive programming guide, 14 high- definition programming services and groundbreaking interactive television applications. No other cable or satellite provider exceeds the breadth and depth of the iO service or gives customers more control over their television experience.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum digital television offering, Optimum Online high-speed Internet service, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable service, and its Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC (The Independent Film Channel), and other national and regional networks. Rainbow also is a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net. In 2003, Cablevision's Rainbow DBS launched its VOOM satellite service, the first service to offer a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) television programming. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses, Cablevision is the controlling owner of 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. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at http://www.cablevision.com/.
Cablevision Systems Corporation
© 2009 PR Newswire
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