March 29, 2006 Dean Acosta Headquarters, Washington (202) 358-1400 Michael Rein Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (321) 867-2468 Collette Carey HDNet, Denver (303) 542-5576 RELEASE: 06-129 NASA & HDNET ANNOUNCE HIGH DEFINITION TV BROADCAST PARTNERSHIP NASA and HDNet have joined together to provide high definition TV coverage of space shuttle launches through 2010. The agreement ensures the remaining shuttle liftoffs and landings at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be broadcast in the highest quality television format available. NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and HDNet Chairman and President Mark Cuban are scheduled to discuss formal details of the agreement during a news conference Thursday, April 6, from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m. EDT at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. "We appreciate the financial investment and technical expertise HDNet has brought to the table to help us reach audiences interested in this next generation of television," Griffin said. HDNet will broadcast the flights in high definition TV, known as HDTV, which has at least twice the resolution of standard television formats. HDNet also will provide the agency a standard broadcast signal of launches for use by media networks and NASA TV. When possible, it will air HDTV coverage of NASA's expendable rocket launches on its network. "This is an exciting deal for HDNet," Cuban said. "Every shuttle launch is a unique and historic American experience. For the next four years, the place to watch this full live broadcast experience in high-definition will be on HDNet. We are proud that NASA has partnered with HDNet for this important role." This news conference is hosted by the Space Foundation during its 22nd National Space Symposium, which runs April 3 through April 6. For news media questions about the Space Foundation, symposium events or press registration, contact Stephanie Fibbs at (719) 576-8000. Media representatives interested in covering the news conference or symposium events should register with the Space Foundation on the Web at: www.nationalspacesymposium.org/media/ For information about HDNet and its programming on the Web, visit: www.hd.net For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/home -end- To subscribe to the list, send a message to: hqnews-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To remove your address from the list, send a message to: hqnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
