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Cablevision Launches National Satellite Service

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From Reuters

Cable operator Cablevision Systems Corp. on Wednesday launched a nationwide high-definition satellite television service with a package of 21 commercial-free channels including a horror movie channel, a fashion channel and a music channel.

The new service, called Voom, puts the New York-based cable operator in direct competition with established satellite television companies, EchoStar Communications Corp. and Hughes Electronics Corp., which operates DirecTV.

“We believe that high-definition television is shortly to become the way most Americans expect to watch TV,” Cablevision Chairman Charles Dolan said.

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In addition to 21 proprietary channels created by Cablevision satellite division Rainbow DBS, such as Animania, News Bytes and World Sport, Voom will carry exclusive programming from better-known cable channels such as the Disney Channel, A&E;, FX, Playboy and Hustler.

The launch is the next step in Cablevision’s high-stakes attempt to trump both its cable and satellite television competitors in the race to offer high- definition television to consumers.

The service transforms Cablevision from a regional cable operator into a company with a national satellite broadcast infrastructure -- but as yet no customers.

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