NBC Universal Cable Announces New HD Distribution and

NBC Universal Cable Announces New HD Distribution and Programming for Universal HD

Englewood Cliffs, NJ - April 4, 2005 - NBC Universal Cable (NBCU Cable) gains new distribution and adds programming for Universal HD, it was announced today by David Zaslav, President, NBCU Cable.

"With the increasing growth and popularity around HD, we are excited to have these operators on board with Universal HD to provide viewers with the best HD content NBC Universal has to offer," said Zaslav.

Since the relaunch of Universal HD in December 2004, recent system launches include Charter (Greenville/Spartanburg, SC); Cox (Baton Rouge, LA and Norfolk, VA); Mediacom (Panama City, FL) and Cable One in Idaho Falls, ID; Texarkaisa, TX and Sherman/Denison, TX.

Universal HD kicks off April with a nine-hour "Monk" marathon on April 3 to mark the series debut. The critically acclaimed show stars Tony Shalhoub as the eponymous obsessive-compulsive detective and begins its regular run on the Universal HD lineup on April 4.

Other premiere titles include Ron Howard's romantic adventure "Far and Away" on April 9, which stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. April 23 will be a Vegas-themed night with "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," and Martin Scorsese's intense mob drama "Casino" with Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci. Terry Gilliam's mind-bending sci-fi drama "Twelve Monkeys" debuts on April 24 starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt.

In May, "The River Wild" premieres on Mother's Day, May 8, with Academy Award?-winner Meryl Streep as she saves her family from a pair of murderous thieves. For Memorial Day on May 30, the Oscar?-winning World War II thriller, "U-571" premieres starring Matthew McConaughey, Harvey Keitel, Bill Paxton, David Keith and rock star Jon Bon Jovi. Additional May film debuts on Universal HD include the police time-traveling sci-fi thriller, "Time Cop" on May 1; "Judgement Night" on May 15; the romantic-comedy "Housesitter," with Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn on May 21 and "Spy Game" featuring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt premieres May 22.

About Universal HD
Universal HD, an NBC Universal Cable network, launched in fourth quarter 2004 is currently available in systems reaching more than 26 million homes in 100% 1080i HD, 24/7. Universal HD offers the best of NBC Universal's library in HD. Programming includes unedited and uninterrupted films, "Backdraft," "Carlito's Way," "Apollo 13" and "The Fast and the Furious;" award-winning series such as "Monk," "Law & Order: SVU" and "Battlestar Galactica;" performing arts and special events, "Music in High Places" and sports programming including the US Open and the 2004 Summer Olympics.