More Various News: Edge Update, HDNet Press Release

Posted by Ashish on 11.03.2009

Two more news items...

- In an interview with Play3-Live.com, Edge said he is on "the path to coming back" and that he's now able to walk without crutches. He said it's been a "hard injury and a painful injury." He said that he would return next year, and that he'd love to be back for WrestleMania, but that he doesn't know for sure when he'll be ready. Video of the interview is here.

- ROH carrier HDNet issued this press release today.

DIRECTV Partners with HDNet And HDNet Movies To Offer On Demand Programming
Top satellite service now offers 20 hours of HDNet programming and over 25 movies from HDNet Movies each month to its HD subscribers

DALLAS (November 3, 2009) - HDNet, the independent network delivering all of its programming in true high definition, announced today a deal in which DIRECTV, the nation's No. 1 satellite service, now offers more than 20 hours of HD programming from HDNet, and more than 25 movies from its sister network HDNet Movies, on a video on demand basis every month.

"HDNet is excited to partner DIRECTV on their VOD offering," said Mark Cuban, chairman and co-founder of HDNet. "Now, HD subscribers will have access to HDNet's critically acclaimed movies, in-depth news, provocative originals and exciting MMA coverage not only on our linear channels but also on a video on demand basis."

"HDNet has been a part of the DIRECTV platform since its debut in 2001 and we are excited to continue to grow our relationship with the launch of its new on demand service," said Dan Hartman, senior vice president of Programming for DIRECTV, Inc. "HDNet's line up of unique movies and sports programming is a perfect addition to the DIRECTV On Demand platform, which offers more than 5,000 titles for customers to choose from."

DIRECTV HD customers will be able to experience the unique and provocative brand of content that HDNet offers, including blockbuster concerts, in-depth news from "Dan Rather Reports", exciting Mixed Martial Arts events from around the globe," "Ring of Honor Wrestling, "New York Confessions," and of course, the exotic travel locals and beautiful women of "Get Out!" and "Bikini Destinations."

The agreement allows DIRECTV customers with HD Access to enjoy HDNet's great, original programming, much of which will be available within 24 hours of its network premiere.

DIRECTV customers who subscribe to the HD Extra Pack will also have access to more than 25 movies from HDNet Movies' slate of top performing, critically acclaimed feature films and box office hits - each and every month. As always, these films will be presented in their original aspect ratio, uncut, unedited and delivered in true high definition.

DIRECTV subscribers can see great films including, "Lost in Translation" starring Bill Murray, "21 Grams," starring Naomi Watts, classics like "Hoosiers" starring Gene Hackman and "Waterworld," starring Kevin Costner, comedies such as "The Nutty Professor" starring Eddie Murphy, and thrillers like "Darkman," starring Liam Neeson and "The Illusionist," starring Edward Norton and many, many more.

The programming provided by HDNet and HDNet Movies on DIRECTV will be refreshed on a weekly basis.

About HDNet HDNet (www.hd.net, twitter.com/hdnet) is the independent network with unique and provocative content that appeals to men of all ages and is delivered in true high definition.

HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report," and the Emmy Award winning "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant - telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring five regular season games from the Premiere Season of the United Football League. HDNet also features the best of Mixed Martial Arts with its Friday night series, "HDNet Fights" (www.hdnetfights.com, twitter.com/hdnetfights). "HDNet Fights" works with leading MMA promoters including DREAM, Sengoku, XFC, M-1, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC, Adrenaline and more. HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet's "Inside MMA" is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA.

HDNet also delivers the world's largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring "Art Mann Presents," "New York Confessions," "Deadline" and "Get Out!" HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries as part of the InFocus series. "NASA on HDNet" presents all live shuttle launches through 2010.

Only HDNet Movies (www.hdnetmovies.com, twitter.com/hdnetmovies) delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters. The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow, Eric Bana, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, Robin Williams, Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger.

In addition to being the exclusive home of Sneak Previews, HDNet Movies presents viewers with over one hundred films and an average of twenty-five "HD Premieres" each month. HDNet Movies viewers enjoy the best films from the classics of the 1950s-1970s, to favorite films from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films.

HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliated companies. To receive HDNet information via email, simply go to www.hd.net/listpage.

About DIRECTV, Inc.
DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTV - News), the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 18.3 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with more than 130 HD channels. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed national cable companies for nine years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.