Compromise Legislation Will Hasten Consumer Choice, Competition for Cable Service; Moves to Governor for Signature into Law

RICHMOND, Va. - February 27, 2006 — The Virginia General Assembly Senate and House of Delegates have passed legislation that will hasten competition for cable television services in the state. The bill now moves to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine for his signature into law. If signed by Gov. Kaine, the new law will take effect July 1. The following statement should be attributed to Robert W. Woltz Jr., president of Verizon Virginia.

“Virginians today are another major step closer to having more competitive choices for their cable television services. In July, Virginia will join Texas as a pioneer in bringing cable choice to consumers more quickly.
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Comcast and IFC to Offer On-Demand Day and Date Premieres of Independent Theatrical Films

IFC in Theaters Will Create a National Art House for First-Run Independent Films

PHILADELPHIA and NEW YORK, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ — Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) and IFC Entertainment announced today a groundbreaking agreement to offer IFC in Theaters, marking the first time selected independent films will be available in customers’ homes through Comcast’s ON DEMAND service on the same day that they are released in theaters. Unlike other day and date concepts, IFC and Comcast will use video on demand to create the first nationwide destination for critically acclaimed independent films.

Beginning in March, IFC in Theaters will debut two independent film titles each month on Comcast ON DEMAND on the same day as their theatrical release. Movies from IFC in Theaters will be available for $5.99 each in the Movies section of Comcast ON DEMAND, and customers will be able to choose from a selection of four to five films a month.
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First National Distribution Footprint Puts Network in Every U.S. Market

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., and LOS ANGELES - Feb. 27, 2006 - EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) today announced that its DISH Network satellite TV service now offers The Tennis Channel, the world’s only 24-hour network devoted to tennis and the lifestyle that surrounds it. DISH Network is the first to provide nationwide coverage of the Tennis Channel.

Starting today with the beginning of the network’s Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas, the fast-growing Tennis Channel will be available in a free preview on Ch. 280 to DISH Network’s America’s Top 60, America’s Top 120 and America’s Top 180 subscribers. After April 5, the Tennis Channel will be available only to America’s Top 180 subscribers at no extra charge on Ch. 400.
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Verizon Offers Its Customers the Most Extensive Online and Video-On-Demand Content Available From Disney and ESPN Networks, Including ABC News Now, Disney Connection, ESPN360, Movies.com Max and More.

NEW YORK and BURBANK, CALIF. - As more consumers turn to the Internet and on-demand TV services for entertainment, Verizon is introducing to its consumer broadband and FIOS TV customers an extensive, new lineup of entertainment and informational programming from ABC News, Disney Online, ESPN and Movies.com. Verizon is the only broadband provider to offer a full collection of content from Disney and ESPN Networks on both its consumer broadband and television platforms.
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DIRECTV Announces Next 24 Markets to Receive High-Definition Local Channels in Spring 2006; Local HD Markets Will Total 36, Representing More Than 58 Percent of U.S. Television Homes

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 22, 2006–Continuing to widely expand its local high-definition (HD) programming services, DIRECTV, Inc. (NYSE: DTV), the nation’s leading digital television service provider, today named the next 24 U.S. markets that will receive local HD programming.

Beginning in April of this year, DIRECTV will roll out the first of the 24 new markets, offering HD programming from the four primary broadcast networks — ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. Customers with the appropriate DIRECTV HD receiving equipment, who subscribe to a programming package that includes local channels, will receive both the standard and HD signals at no extra monthly charge.
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YES Network, DIRECTV and MLB.com Team Up to Provide First-Ever Interactive TV Content for Major League Baseball, On The YES Network’s New York Yankees Telecasts

Starting in July, The YES Network Will Be First Television Network in the Country to Take Advantage of DIRECTV’s Interactive Platform

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 22, 2006– The YES Network (www.yesnetwork.com), DIRECTV, Inc. and MLB.com have reached a multi-year agreement to offer the first-ever interactive TV content for Major League Baseball, on YES Network broadcasts of New York Yankees regular season games in its home telecast market starting in July 2006 — only on DIRECTV.

With this partnership, the YES Network becomes the first regional sports network in the country to offer its viewers true, single-screen interactive content. MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, will be the source for the application’s constantly updated statistics, scores, records and other data feeds.
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Interactive Home Shopping Service For iO Digital Cable Customers Achieves Key Usage Milestones In January - Nearly 100,000 Unique Users And More Than 5 Million Page Views

Bethpage, NY — February 22, 2006 — Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) announced today that its innovative Optimum Homes interactive real estate channel, available to iO digital cable customers on channel 606, achieved key usage milestones in January. The service attracted nearly 100,000 unique visitors who viewed more than 5 million pages and averaged more than 17 minutes on the channel, per visit.
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Channel to Premiere on Comcast Cable’s Atlanta System on March 20

LOS ANGELES, February 22 - The Africa Channel, the new 24/7 independent television network dedicated to delivering quality content and bringing the rich and diverse perspectives of Africa and its people into U.S. homes, has reached an affiliation agreement with Comcast the country’s leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services.

The agreement provides for carriage opportunities for The Africa Channel on Comcast’s cable systems. In addition, the network will initially launch on Comcast’s Atlanta system on March 20 on channel 182.
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Perfect For The Home Or Business User, SyncMaster 204B Features Ergonomically Designed Features, Ultra-Fast Five -Millisecond Response Time and Much More

Irvine, CA — Samsung, the world’s leading manufacturer of LCD computer monitors and professional displays, continues its fine tradition of providing top-notch, high quality displays with the addition of the SyncMaster 204B to its family of award-winning large-screen LCD monitors. Targeted for business and home users alike, the monitor features Samsung’s proprietary “magic” set of technologies that work to produce an ultra realistic picture with rich, natural colors. The SyncMaster 204B is currently available at retail locations and through Samsung’s distribution channel across the U.S. with an estimated street price $629.99.
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- Daily Entertainment, Appearances by Olympians and Dynamic Product Showcase Attracts Spectators and Athletes from Around the World -

Torino, February 21, 2006 - Since officially opening on February 7, the Olympic Rendezvous @ Samsung (OR@S) has welcomed 250,000 visitors to its pavilion. Located in Piazza Solferino and designated the “Official Meeting Place for Athletes and their Families,” the OR@S is the centerpiece of Samsung’s on-site programs for fans and athletes in Torino.

“We are pleased to see so many fans and athletes visiting OR@S to relax, experiment with our products and the latest mobile technology, and enjoy our facility during the first week of the Torino Games,” said Samsung Vice Chairman and CEO Jong-Yong Yun. “We welcome more fans and athletes to come visit and connect with their friends and families around the world.”
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