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ION Media Networks and Comcast Announce Affiliation Agreement for Channel Suite

Posted on: Monday, 14 January 2008, 12:00 CST

ION Media Networks, Inc. (AMEX:ION), owner and operator of the nation's largest broadcast television station group, and Comcast, the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, today announced that they have reached an affiliation agreement regarding distribution of ION Media Networks, including ION Television, qubo and ION Life.

Under the agreement, Comcast will continue carrying ION's flagship television network, which airs a mix of popular TV series, movies, sports and specials targeted towards a broad audience. In addition, Comcast systems will offer ION's 24-hour linear digital networks: qubo, a channel focusing on providing children with a good value system and literacy, and ION Life, a channel for mature adults focusing on healthy lifestyle options, personal growth and wellness. Comcast currently carries many of ION's broadcast affiliates in several key markets.

"We are pleased to expand our relationship with Comcast, the industry leader, to cover not only our flagship ION Television network, but also our innovative special interest digital networks, qubo and ION Life," said Steve Friedman, President, ION Media Networks Distribution. "This agreement is another milestone in our multi-platform network strategy and reflects our commitment to working with our cable partners to offer digital value-added products for underserved and diverse special interest TV categories."

Added Jennifer Gaiski, Senior Vice President, Content Acquisition for Comcast, "ION Media offers a unique programming mix that is family-oriented and appeals to a wide range of viewers. By adding the qubo and ION Life networks to our lineups in select markets, we're giving our customers even more value, with programming that's especially tailored for specific audiences, including children and older adults."

ION Television's daily programming lineup includes popular family shows, like "The Drew Carey Show,""Mama's Family" and "Who's the Boss?;" sports and reality programs, such as "NFL Game of the Week" and "48 Hours," and exciting RHI Entertainment award-winning movies and original miniseries, such as "Lonesome Dove" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

qubo is a groundbreaking multi-lingual television network for children that champions literacy and positive values through entertainment. It is the world of imagination, where anything can happen and anything is possible; a place where kids can pretend to be heroes and explorers, artists and musicians, kings or movie stars. The digital network features an expanded line-up of popular children's programming, including Nelvana's "Pecola," NBC Universal's "Boo!" and Classic Media's "Theodore Tugboat."

ION Life is the country's first digital network dedicated to an empowered active lifestyle, responsible citizenship, personal growth and wellness for consumers of all ages. The network offers a mix of highly-acclaimed wellness programming, which includes fitness, diet & nutrition, travel & adventure, design & décor, sports and all categories promoting personal growth and achievement. The 24/7 digital network, which also presents a weekly, one-hour branded program offering on the company's flagship network, ION Television, features a slate of programming, including "Taste! The Beverage Show", "The Weekend Guy", "Along for the Ride", "Get Out! with Shelley and Courtney", "The Prenup Challenge," Yoga & Pilates," World Championship Sports programming and "Food Wise."

About ION Media Networks

ION Media Networks, Inc. owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television station group and ION Television, reaching over 94 million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems. ION Television currently features popular TV series and movies from the award-winning libraries of Warner Bros., Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television, among others. ION Media has also partnered with RHI Entertainment, which owns over 4,000 hours of acclaimed television content, to provide weekend primetime programming consisting of exclusive original programming and quality library titles. Utilizing its digital multicasting capability, the company has launched several digital TV brands, including qubo, a television and multimedia network for children formed in partnership with several leading media and entertainment companies, and ION Life, a television and multimedia network dedicated to health and wellness for consumers and families. For more information, visit www.ionmedia.tv.

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq:CMCSA) (Nasdaq:CMCSK) (http://www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 24.2 million cable customers, 12.9 million high-speed Internet customers, and 4.1 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, Comcast SportsNet and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet business. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

Source: Business Wire

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