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Sky News to Broadcast Obama Inauguration in HD Online and on TV
Issued: January 14, 2009
Sky News has announced that in addition to providing coverage of the inauguration of Barack Obama in High Definition on television, it will also be streaming the event in HD online.
In what is a double-first for Sky News, "Obama: The Inauguration" will be produced by Sky News and shown in HD on Sky Arts HD channel 258 and streamed at the same time in HD on www.skynews.com, (as well as in standard definition for non-HD viewers).
The announcement comes in the week that Sky News’ Political Editor Adam Boulton starts broadcasting from the
Viewers without HD capability on their TV sets will be able to enjoy the event as normal on Sky News, channel 501. But for those with HD TV’s, alongside Sky News' award-winning journalism, Sky News programming will be on Sky Arts HD from 4pm to 6pm GMT on 20 January and the inauguration ceremony itself will be streamed online in its entirety at 5pm GMT.
Steve Bennedik, Head of Technology, Sky News, said: "We want to capture the magic and scale of the event, including the speech and the massive anticipated audience around the globe for this historic occasion."
"We will do this by offering, for the first time, the highest quality pictures, both for those watching in High Definition on their televisions, but also for those watching Sky News’ live streaming online.
"The aim is that the pictures will be so good, you'll feel you are there amongst the crowds."
Sky News has been working with working with Level 3 Communications to provide broadcast video and streaming video technology through which visitors to skynews.com can watch a high quality broadcast experience over the internet. Visitors to the site will need to download a free-of-charge player before they can watch – the download should only take a matter of seconds.
Sky News’ coverage of the swearing in of the 44th President of the United States will come from Washington, with Adam Boulton and Jeremy Thompson anchoring presentation of the proceedings, working closely with Sky News' two US correspondents, Michelle Clifford and Robert Nisbet. Its inauguration week coverage begins on 18 January when Sunday Live with Adam Boulton comes from the
Recorded coverage of the Inauguration will be available on Sky News Active and HD subscribers will be able to view coverage on Sky Anytime TV.
Head of News, John Ryley said: "Barack Obama will begin his Presidency by spelling out his vision for America. Sky News has a well-deserved reputation for world-class journalism and pioneering the use of technology. At Sky News we always aim to offer viewers and online users the best possible coverage of the big events and we are very much looking forward to being able to broadcast in HD on multiple platforms for the first time, on this most momentous day.”
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For further information, please contact:
Publicity Manager, Sky News
Tel - 020 7800 4341
Notes to editors:
Sky News and skynews.com – Since its launch in 1989, Sky News has established itself as a formidable and innovative force in the world of news broadcasting. It now provides news to around 145 million people in 36 countries in Europe alone, with distribution across Africa, the Middle East and
Valued for fairness, balance and journalistic objectivity by both viewers and regulators, the award-winning channel has also earned a reputation for the speed of its 24-hour coverage and flexibility in reporting live news – first.
In addition to its status as one of
Sky News now makes a number of programmes for web-only broadcast on skynews.com. These include, ‘Unplugged’ - a new live show broadcast from Sky’s Milbank studio, during which Martin Stanford will discuss the most topical and interesting stories of the day – but with no running order, the programme will be able to respond to latest developments as they happen.
In April 2007 skynews.com launched embedded video clips as standard on the site.
Skynews.com won the Royal Television Society’s innovation award in 2007 for the user generated content it carried during Sky News’ Green Week. And in 2008, it won the Association of Online Publishers award for website of the year.
Sky News – Sky channel 501
Sky Arts 1 - Sky channel 256
Sky Arts 2 - Sky channel 257
Sky Arts HD - Sky channel 258
About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services.
Level 3 Communications, Level 3, the red 3D brackets and the Level 3 Communications logo are registered service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. Any other service, product or company names recited herein are trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking StatementSome of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3’s control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to the company’s ability to: successfully integrate acquisitions; increase the volume of traffic on the network; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; develop new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; successfully complete commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; and meet all of the terms and conditions of debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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