The Movie Network and The Movie Network Encore Launch Two More HD Channels With Shaw Direct

Addition of MExcess HD and The Movie Network Encore HD brings The Movie Network's total HD offering for Shaw Direct Subscribers to five dedicated HD channels

TORONTO, May 29, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Astral's The Movie Network today announced the launch of MExcess HD and The Movie Network Encore HD (TMN Encore HD) on Shaw Direct. Available today, these new channels join existing HD channels The Movie Network HD, HBO Canada HD and HBO Canada 2 HD and are offered at no extra charge.

"With the addition of these new channels, MExcess and classic movie service TMN Encore, Shaw Direct subscribers now have access to five HD channels from The Movie Network," said Domenic Vivolo, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Astral Television Networks. "As a premium service, we are committed to continually enhancing our service and offering products that subscribers want, in an ongoing attempt to add value to The Movie Network subscriptions. The addition of these two services brings a robust offering of exclusive movies and series as well as a vast array of older movie blockbusters to Shaw Direct subscribers."

"These subscription services offer premium HD entertainment and content to Shaw Direct customers," said Peter Bissonnette, President of Shaw Communications Inc. "We're proud to bring Canadians compelling HD choices and the hottest programs through Shaw Direct."

These new HD channels will mirror the programming available on MExcess and TMN Encore's respective standard-definition channels. All HD programs on MExcess and TMN Encore are also available on Shaw Direct On Demand.

A multiplex channel of The Movie Network, MExcess provides sexy, thrilling, action-packed series and movies. Among the hundreds of HD titles available in coming weeks are series such as Starz's Spartacus: War of the Damned and Showtime's The Jim Rome Show and movies including The Dark Knight Rises, The Grey, Looper, Resident Evil: Retribution, The Samaritan, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Snow White and The Huntsman and The Thing.

TMN Encore, available as a stand-alone service or bundled with a subscription to The Movie Network, offers the ultimate collection of great movies from every era and genre, ranging from thriller, suspense and action-packed entertainment to drama and light-hearted favourites. Among the hundreds of HD titles available in coming weeks are American Beauty, Brazil, C.R.A.Z.Y., Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Godfather Trilogy, Goodfellas, Into the Wild, There Will Be Blood, The Untouchables and Wild at Heart.

Shaw Direct viewers can find these new HD services at the following channel numbers:
MExcess HD on channel 642 Advanced/142 Classic;
TMN Encore HD on channel 640 Advanced/140 Classic.

The Movie Network is a pay television service available in eastern Canada. With premiere access to Hollywood hit movies, new and exclusive HBO content, critically acclaimed Showtime series and first-rate Canadian programming, this pay-television service presents Canadians with some of the best television entertainment available. The Movie Network service includes five 24-hour multiplex channels - The Movie Network, HBO Canada, MExcess, MFun! and MFest - which deliver diverse and entertaining programs in an uncut and commercial-free television environment. All five multiplex channels are also simulcast in High Definition and are joined by The Movie Network OnDemand, a Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) service, available in select areas across eastern Canada; TMN OnLine an Internet-based content streaming service available to Bell TV, Rogers and Videotron subscribers; and TMN GO, a video streaming service currently available to Bell TV, Rogers and Cogeco Cable subscribers. For more information, please visit www.themovienetwork.ca.

Astral Media Inc. (TSX:ACM.A/ACM.B) is one of Canada's largest media companies. It operates several of the country's most popular pay and specialty television, radio, out-of-home advertising and interactive media properties. Astral plays a central role in community life across the country by offering diverse, rich and vibrant programming that meets the tastes and needs of consumers and advertisers. To learn more about Astral, visit astral.com.

SOURCE: THE MOVIE NETWORK

Scott Campbell
416-956-8648
[email protected]