now TV launches Hong Kong's first HD broadcasts

now TV launches High Definition – Hong Kong’s first HD broadcasts include Barclays Premier League action plus other top sports events; now TV to produce Barclays Asia Trophy live in HD – Broadcast will reach 130 countries around the world

HONG KONG — PCCW today announced the launch of High Definition (HD) programming on now TV. Starting in August 2007, customers can pre-register for now TV’s HD service and enjoy Barclays Premier League (BPL) matches in spectacular style.

Subscribers will be able to view more than 90 of the best Barclays Premier League matches live in HD on now SPORTS HD channel – the first of its kind in Hong Kong.

now TV will also broadcast other major sports events in HD, including 38 Italian Serie A matches, 31 UEFA EURO 2008 clashes and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, All Star and Regular Season Games and the Stanley Cup from the National Hockey League’s 2007/08 season.

As host broadcaster, now TV will produce – in HD format – Barclays Asia Trophy, featuring Liverpool, Portsmouth, Fulham and Hong Kong FA Cup winner South China. The broadcast will be picked up by more than 130 countries around the world.

now TV invites all Hong Kong soccer fans to sample this sensational High Definition viewing experience at a Barclays Asia Trophy viewing party to be staged at Maritime Square, in Tsing Yi, on July 27 and in selected PCCW Shops. The Hong Kong-based tournament will also be broadcast on now SPORTS 1 channel in Standard Definition (SD).

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In addition, to further enhance the overall sports viewing experience, now TV will unveil an array of super value-added services to tie in with the launch of the 2007/08 season of the Barclays Premier League. For example, soccer enthusiasts will be able to view four live matches simultaneously via a split-screen function, as well as other interactive features that allow viewers to retrieve information on any BPL team or player by using the now TV remote control.

PCCW Television & Content Managing Director Dominic Leung said: “We are excited to be providing live HD programming on our platform. With the very latest HD equipment and 14 cameras ready to roll at Hong Kong Stadium, now TV will capture every exciting moment of the Barclays Asia Trophy.”

He added: “Starting August 11, HD broadcasts of Barclays Premier League action represent the opening of another exciting new chapter in the now TV success story and taking sports viewing experience to a new level.”

To view exciting now SPORTS HD programs, subscribers need to replace the standard set-top box with an HD version at the promotional rate of HK$38/month (regular price HK$78/month) for the STB rental and customers subscribing to the HK$488 Super Value Pack can enjoy this for free. The HD Sports package will be available to now TV Mega Sports Pack subscribers at at promotional rate of HK$68/mth (regular price HK$88/mth). There is a one-off charge for HD service installation and activation. Customers can call our hotline on 2888 0008 (press 1) or visit a PCCW shop for installation or pre-registration starting early August.

Also in August, now TV will unveil a dedicated HD channel, VOOM HD, which offers a large and varied collection of HD programming. Content includes adventure travel, fashion, luxury lifestyles, art, live concerts, action sports and video games.

More HD programming will be rolled out on now TV in phases.