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WPXI-TV, Comcast Announce Agreement To Carry High Definition Programming

Posted: 12:09 pm EST February 1, 2005Updated: 12:57 pm EST February 1, 2005

Tuesday, WPXI-TV and Comcast announced their agreement allowing for the carriage of Channel 11's High Definition signal and television programming throughout cable systems in the Pittsburgh DMA. The agreement is part of a larger deal between Comcast and Cox Television, owners of WPXI-TV.

Starting February 8, 2005, WPXI-HD (NBC) will be available on channel 211 to Comcast Digital Cable customers who have an HD-ready television and rent a digital set-top converter with an integrated HD tuner, which allows them to view channels broadcast in high-definition.

"This really is a win-win situation, said Ray Carter," Vice President and General Manager of WPXI-TV. "The news is great for the Pittsburgh viewing audience and it's a pleasure for WPXI to join with Comcast in making this happen."

NBC loads its primetime schedule with weekly HDTV broadcasts including The West, Wing, Law and Order and ER.

"Comcast is proud to add WPXI-HD to an already strong High Definition channel line-up," said Doug Sansom, regional senior vice president for Comcast. "A recent Nielsen study of Comcast's HD households proves that our HD offerings are the place to be, as 45% say they tune to these channels first when they turn on their TV. HD programs like the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Crossing Jordan and Las Vegas to mention a few will draw more customers to a balanced HD schedule offered by WPXI-HD."

"By partnering with WPXI-TV, Comcast Digital customers will have access to watching The West Wing, Law and Order, and ER with picture resolution that is up to six times sharper than standard-definition television."

To date, Comcast makes available up to twelve (12) HD channels throughout the Greater Pittsburgh Region. Channels include WPXI, WTAE, KDKA, WQED, ESPN, Showtime, HBO, Cinemax, Starz!, Discovery, INHD and INHD2.

Channel 11 made Pittsburgh history when it broadcast the Celebrate the Season Holiday Parade in HDTV on Saturday, November 28, 2004. It was the first non-sporting event in Pittsburgh to be broadcast in high definition.

Customers who subscribe to Comcast Digital Cable, in addition to being eligible for HDTV, may receive up to 240 digital channels, including 25 premium movie channels, 45 commercial-free music channels, 7 Encore themed movie channels, six Discovery channels, seven MTV and VH1 channels, more than 30 additional pay-per-view channels, a variety of Pay-Per-View sports packages featuring the NHL, MLB and NBA as well as college sports, an interactive one-screen program guide, parental controls and much more.

About WPXI-TV
WPXI-TV and WPXI-DT are Cox Television Stations in the Pittsburgh, PA television market. About Cox Television: Cox Television includes 15 television stations, 3 national television sales representation firms, a television production company, and a Washington D.C. news office. Cox Television is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc., based in Atlanta.

About Comcast Cable
Headquartered in Pennsylvania, Comcast Cable is a division of Comcast Corporation, a developer, manager and operator of broadband cable networks and provider of programming content. Operating in 17 of the United States' 20 largest metropolitan areas, Comcast is one of the leading communications, media and entertainment companies in the world. Providing basic cable, Digital Cable, high-speed Internet and telephone services, Comcast is the company to look to first for the communications products and services that connect people to what's important in their lives. The company's 55,000 employees serve more than 21 million customers.

Comcast, whose Western Atlantic Region offices are located in North Fayette, PA serves more than 660,000 customers and employs approximately 2,000 people throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio and the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia.

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