Starz Entertainment will launch five additional high-definition channels in 2010.
Starz In Black HD, Starz Cinema HD, IndiePlex HD, RetroPlex HD and a West Coast feed for Encore HD are all scheduled to bow in 2010. The rollouts, slated for the early to middle part of next year, are expected to be staggered, according to officials at the programmer.
Upon the launch of the five new HD channels, premium programmer Starz Entertainment will offer affiliates and its subscribers up to nine distinct HD channels, as well as the West Coast HD feed options of its two flagship channels, Starz and Encore. All Starz Entertainment HD offerings are presented to affiliates in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.
With the bows of Starz in Black HD and Starz Cinema HD, all six Starz channel will be available in the enhanced format.
Starz Entertainment also said it is the leading provider in HD On Demand programming with its Starz HD On Demand, Encore HD On Demand, and MoviePlex HD On Demand services.
"Starz viewership, satisfaction levels and subscriber counts have grown the past few years thanks in part to integrating HD into the Starz viewing experience," said Ed Huguez, executive vice president, affiliate sales and marketing for Starz Entertainment, in a statement. "We are pleased to extend the high definition reach of our channels next year and will begin working with our cable, satellite and telco affiliates to bring them to consumers in the future."
