ION Television Network to Move to HD DTV Quality

ION Media
Networks, Inc. announced the launch of ION Television HD, the high definition
television version of the company’s flagship network, ION Television. ION
Television HD will air ION Television’s full lineup of programming in high
definition beginning in the first quarter of next year.

ION
Television HD will be transmitted in 720p HD, and will be delivered
over-the-air via DTV broadcast, cable, telco-TV and satellite. The network will
feature native and up-converted HD programming, and will be carried on all 60
of ION Media Network’s television stations around the country.

“Launching
ION HD is the next step in our multi-platform digital strategy,” said Brandon
Burgess, CEO, ION Media Networks. “The transformation of our network to
digital from analog, and the conversion of ION Television to HD, will allow us
to deliver to our distribution partners and television audience HD-quality
content and additional special-interest digital networks, and uniquely
positions us for new distribution models and platforms.”

ION
Television HD will dramatically enhance viewers’ experience with the
breathtaking visual clarity and rich, lifelike color characteristic of high
definition. Viewers will discover a new level of enjoyment with the flagship
network’s daily programming lineup, which includes popular family shows, like “Mama’s
Family” and “Who’s the Boss?,” and sports and reality programs, such as “NFL
Game of the Week” and “48 Hours.” ION Television HD will also enable audiences
to experience, as never before, the network’s exciting RHI Entertainment
award-winning movies and original miniseries, such as “Lonesome Dove” and “Journey
to the Center of the Earth.”