Peter Arnett reporting from Afghanistan for HDNet

New York, NY -- In a significant development for the future ofbattlefield coverage for television, Broadcast News Networks (BNN) andHDNet have announced the broadcast of the first-ever high-definitiontelevision reports from a war zone. World-renowned war reporter PeterArnett, who BNN had previously announced would be heading to the regionto report for the company’s worldwide client base, will also leadBNN’s groundbreaking HDTV coverage from Afghanistan, Pakistan,and other key regional news centers with reports that will be broadcaston the HDNet channel on DirecTV.

"As a company with a history of technological innovation,we’ve been actively exploring the utility of HDTV fieldbroadcasts," said BNN CEO Steve Rosenbaum. "Newly ruggedhigh-definition gear and the growing number of HDNet viewers made theWar on Terrorism an important one to document in HDTV, so we’reproud to be partnering with Mark Cuban and HDNet, pioneers in thetechnology, to create the first-ever HDTV war coverage.

"We also needed to know that we had a journalist to match thequality of the camera gear and Peter Arnett -- far and away theworld’s most experienced war correspondent -– uniquely hasthe knowledge and ability to provide the stories, context, andbackground to bring the reporting alive."

The premier broadcast can be seen 10:30pm–11:00pm, ET onFriday January 11, and repeated throughout the week on channel 199 onDirecTV. Subsequent broadcasts will follow a similar schedule. AnyDirecTV basic subscriber can receive Channel 199 at no additionalcharge if they have an HDTV and an HD DirecTV receiver/dish.

Said Mark Cuban, chairman of HDNet, "Our rapidly growing HDTVaudience is demanding more high-definition programming, and we arecommitted to providing them the compelling content they seek. In acomplicated, continuing conflict, where thousands of Americans areliterally putting their lives on the line to defend our security andfreedom, Arnett and the BNN team will use the latest HDNet technologyto bring home the reality, scope and scale of the war in a way thatwill provide our viewers with a perspective and understanding simplyunavailable in traditional TV.

"As radio was able to do in World War II, or television during theVietnam era, our HDTV coverage will set a new standard for immersingthe audience in pictures and stories that increasingly convey toviewers the raw, visceral experience of the conflict," added Cuban.

"BNN is a news organization with a well-deserved reputation forintegrity, credibility, and reliability," said Peter Arnett. "WithHDNet we will literally be pioneering the way we’ll all watch TVwithin a few years."

Arnett continued: "After 40 years of war reporting, the depth andrichness of HDTV gives me the opportunity to show viewers a far fullerpicture of what we see on the ground everyday –- the devastatingpower of modern weaponry; the reality of day-to-day life for militarypersonnel; the evolving relationships and interactions between keyregional leaders; the impact of conflict on civilians; and the extentand value of humanitarian assistance."

"With its widescreen format and staggering resolution, HDTV pictureslook and feel like real life," added Philip Garvin, general manager andco-founder of HDNet. "From the mountain passes of the Afghan/Pakistanborder, to the devastation of Kabul to the daily lives of U.S. Marines,HDNet viewers will see the region as if they were there."

About BNN
Since 1983, BNN, the largest independent producer of news anddocumentary, has been at the forefront of both production andinnovation. The company has produced hundreds of hours of newsdocumentary programming for clients that include A&E, CNN, CBS,CourtTV, NBC, RTL, and the BBC. Most recently, the company producedVoices at Ground Zero for MSNBC, an extraordinary look at thedestruction of the World Trade Center. In addition to the definitivecoverage of September 11th and the aftermath, BNN’s recent workincludes groundbreaking coverage of the U.S. Militia Movement, homelessteens on the streets of Portland, Oregon, and the dark world ofmiddle-class women who are heroin addicts. The company’s numerousawards include the New York Festivals World Medal and two Emmys. Visitthe company online at www.bnntv.com.

About HDNet
HDNet (www.hd.net), theleader in high-definition broadcasting, produces and televises morehours of HDTV programming each week than any other network. HDNetbroadcasts 16 hours per day of sports, entertainment, and now newsprogramming on DirecTV channel 199. Co-founded by Mark Cuban, chairmanand president, and Philip Garvin, general manager and chief operatingofficer, the company has offices and facilities in Dallas, Texas, andDenver,Colorado.