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MUMBAI:
Astral Media’s The Movie Network and Corus Entertainments
will launch HBO Canada on 30 October 2008.
The
channel will deliver HBO’s series, films, comedies and
live events.
HBO
Canada is a multiplex channel that will be offered at no additional
charge to customers who subscribe to The Movie Network or
Movie Central.
Astral
Television Networks president John Riley says, “HBO is
one of the most successful and sought-after entertainment
brands in the world and we are thrilled to be expanding upon
our long-standing relationship to launch this unique new service.
“For years, HBO’s dramatic programming has been
available on The Movie Network and Movie Central. But even
with all of the HBO titles we offered, Canadians still wanted
more. They wanted the comedy series, the live specials, the
sporting events and the behind-the-scenes content that went
into the HBO viewing experience.
"
In launching HBO Canada we will be in a position to offer
Canadians this additional content, together with the current
signature series that HBO produces, to create an entertainment
and value proposition that promises to set a new standard
for premium television viewing in Canada.”
With
its launch in October, HBO Canada will be home to new and
returning series such as True Blood, Entourage,
Big Love and In Treatment, airing day-and-date
with HBO in the US. The service will also offer more than
200 hours of library titles and first-run HBO original films,
comedy specials, documentaries, live concerts and sporting
events which were previously unavailable in Canada, including
Real Time with Bill Maher, Def Comedy Jam and
Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger.
Library
titles available on HBO Canada include such series as OZ
and Da Ali G Show; original movies Gia, The
Late Shift and If These Walls Could Talk; miniseries
From the Earth to the Moon and Angels in America;
and comedy specials from the likes of Dane Cook, Tracey Ullman
and Ellen Degeneres. HBO Canada will round out its offering
with Canadian films and series including The Movie Network
and Movie Central’s original series such as Durham
County and Terminal City.
Corus
Entertainment president, television Paul Robertson says, “We
are thrilled that HBO Canada is going to be available to our
subscribers this fall. Canadians see great value in HBO’s
distinctive brand and compelling programming and we have responded
to this with a channel that offers a full complement of HBO
programming that meets our audience’s demand for world-class
entertainment – delivered in standard definition, high
definition and on demand.”
HBO
Canada will include a standard definition and high definition
offering. HBO Canada programming will also be offered on demand
through The Movie Network OnDemand and Movie Central On Demand
where available by service provider.
Astral
Media and Corus Entertainment have expanded on the long-standing
programming output deal that each has with HBO in order to
launch HBO Canada. HBO will not hold an ownership stake in
HBO Canada.
HBO
president of programming sales Charles Schreger says, “Canadian
audiences have a great appreciation for the quality entertainment
for which HBO is known. Working with Astral Media’s The
Movie Network and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central
to create HBO Canada is a great evolution in our relationship
and it is very exciting to be able to deliver a robust inventory
of HBO programming under an HBO branded destination.”
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