NBC 5, Charter Communications Launch HDTV on Cable In Ft. Worth & Park Cities

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas – For NBC 5, this year's new fall season is set to premiere in full high-definition glory. This week, NBC 5 becomes the first commercial broadcast network in Dallas/Fort Worth launching High-Definition Television (HDTV) on cable. Viewers will receive the NBC HDTV signal through Charter Communications' special HDTV set-top box. High-definition programming for KXAS-DT may be accessed on Ch. 780 on the Charter line-up.

“We're proud to lead the way as new technologies allow us to improve the viewing experience for our audience,” said Tom O'Brien, President and General Manager of NBC 5. “Making NBC 5 programming available in HD to nearly 120,000 Charter Cable subscribers is another ground-breaking step.” NBC 5 has a history of firsts beginning as the first television station in Texas, September 1948. Five years ago, NBC 5 broadcast its first HDTV program, The Texas Rangers' Opening Day baseball game at The Ballpark in Arlington on March 31, 1998. HDTV programming from NBC 5 is currently available as an over-the-air broadcast signal on Channel 41.

“I would describe High-Definition Television as the most significant evolution in television since black-and-white pictures became color,” said Dan Spoelman, Vice President/General Manager for Charter Fort Worth. “This year has been a landmark year for HDTV and for Charter as HDTV deployment across the county, especially in Fort Worth. Fort Worth residents are fortunate to have NBC 5 on the forefront of HD broadcast rollouts.”

NBC 5 has announced 14 HD programs in its fall lineup. Returning programs in NBC 5's top-rated lineup include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Third Watch, Frasier, Ed, The West Wing, ER, Boomtown and American Dreams. New high-definition programs are Las Vegas, Whoopi, Happy Family, Coupling, Miss Match and Lyons Den. Season premieres begin the week of September 22nd.

NBC 5 high-definition programming will be available on Ch. 780 to 112,000 Charter customers in some areas of its Fort Worth service area and approximately 7,700 customers in Park Cities. Charter Communications customers who receive HDTV programming do so by means of an HDTV set-top box. Today, those are available at two area retailers, Marvin Electronics Co., 2750 S. Hulen St. in Fort Worth and Ed Kellum & Sons, 4533 Cole Ave., Dallas. An option to lease the HDTV set-top receiver to customers will be introduced in September.

Charter Communications, A Wired World Company™, is the nation's third-largest broadband communications company. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform via Charter Digital Cable® brand and high-speed Internet access marketed under the Charter Pipeline® brand. Commercial high-speed data, video and Internet solutions are provided under the Charter Business Networks® brand. Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Mediaâ brand. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.com.

NBC 5 is the NBC Owned and Operated media center serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. For additional information about NBC 5 news and programming, visit our website, www.nbc5i.com

Contact: Terry McFarlane, NBC 5 (817) 654-6424
terry.mcfarlane@nbc.com
Anita Lamont, Charter (314-543-2215
alamont@chartercom.com