Television
January 22, 2003
Chronicle DTV Concludes Major Program Acquisition Agreement With Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution
(January 22, 2003 – New York, NY) - Chronicle DTV, a distinctive digital network offering a unique blend of documentary and reality programming, has signed a programming acquisition deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution that encompasses programming from the studio as well as Turner Productions and CNN. The announcement was made today by Rick Blume, President and CEO of Chronicle DTV.
"This is Chronicle's first major output deal with a leading Hollywood studio as we continue to build our subscriber base," said Blume. "The quality of the programs included in this acquisition speaks to Chronicle's commitment to providing its viewers with unique and informative entertainment choices. Since we are differentiating ourselves by making feature length documentaries our main signature series, the Warner deal is a key ingredient in helping us achieve this goal. We look forward to ‘03 as being a banner year for our digital channel as we work to conclude impressive deals designed to build up the viability of this unique channel which offers a unique blend of documentary and reality programming."
“We are always pleased to welcome a new client into our programming family,” said Eric Frankel, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution. “We’re certain that our programming will serve as a key component to Chronicle’s growth and look forward to a long, mutually-beneficial relationship.”
Valued at $21 million, the five-year programming deal includes 130 titles, predominantly from Warner Bros. feature film library. Supporting Chronicle’s brand and positioning statement of “Real Life Stories,” the deal also includes CNN documentaries produced in the past two years. Some of the titles include: Academy Award winner "Into the Arms of Strangers," award-winning "Imagine: John Lennon," "Listen Up Quincy Jones," "Murder in Mississippi," "Woodstock Diary," "Downsizing.com," "Struggle for Islam," and "Soldiers of God."
Since its launch in 2002, Chronicle DTV has already made its way into 750,000 homes. The network is available nationwide through OlympuSAT on Telstar 7 and is being carried in Miami, with additional markets on the way. Adelphia Cable Systems, one of the largest cable operators in the United States, has rolled out the channel in the Los Angeles market, while RCN and The National Cable and Telecommunications Cooperative (NCTC) are also carrying Chronicle DTV for digital subscribers.
Chronicle offers a unique mix of light-hearted and entertaining programs as well as in-depth coverage of the tumultuous experiences that occur far from our world. Chronicle's programming has been acquired through acquisition agreements with such leading and respected program distributors as the BBC, Channel Four International, Winstar, RM Associates, Artistic License, and Tapestry International.
Specifically targeted to the growing upscale Baby Boomer/Gen X population - the highly educated, affluent audience aged 28-64, which is concentrated in urban and suburban areas -- Chronicle is designed to assist cable and satellite operators in attracting, acquiring and retaining digital subscribers.
Blume, a veteran of satellite, voice and data communications, cable TV, and the Internet, is a partner in the privately-held Chronicle enterprise. For further information, visit the Chronicle website at www.chronicledtv.com. # # #