(http://www.studio4networks.com), a leading independent provider of lifestyle and educational programming delivered on-demand over cable television, satellite and the Internet, today reported increased consumer adoption with a 37 percent increase in usage per available household of their television-based video-on-demand programming for the third quarter of 2007. These improved adoption rates were for their existing cable distribution systems, and did not include the 50% increase in available on-demand cable homes through their new distribution that just commenced through Charter Communications.
“Viewers are shifting from a world where stations and networks push content to viewers on their schedule to one where people decide what they want to watch and when they want to watch it,” said Ed Stansfield, CEO of Studio 4 Networks. “Studio 4 Networks is positioned to provide the audience-in-control with top-tier, award-winning, education-oriented, independent programming.”
This growth in usage per household for Studio 4 Networks’ titles confirms momentum in consumer adoption of its titles from its three networks for families, fitness, and education. In addition, its available on-demand households grew last month by 50% through its new carriage agreement with Charter Communications, Inc., the third-largest publicly traded cable operator in the U.S. With the inclusion of the Charter Communications systems, Studio 4 Networks cable distribution partners serve cable subscribers in approximately 15.5 million households in 23 states and Canada.
The news comes on the heels of Studio 4 Networks agreeing to be acquired by family-oriented Canadian media company Knightscove Media Corp. (TSXV: KC / OTCQX: KCMDF) for an estimated $7 million in cash and stock.
Video-on-demand is a rapidly becoming a staple in U.S. cable homes, with an estimated 35 million video-on-demand homes in the United States by the end of 2007. VOD is projected to grow from its availability on approximately 53% of U.S. cable households to nearly 75% by 2010. And while much of the attention is focused on the delivery of movies and network television programming, broad varieties of niche programming have become standard viewing, and Studio 4 Networks has established itself as a leading source of award-winning lifestyle and educational videos through its three subsidiary on-demand networks.
About Studio 4 Networks
With three networks, Studio 4 Networks (http://www.studio4networks.com) has both highly targeted markets and an expansive and diverse audience. Its broadband offerings are poised to bring those audiences complementary choice in the burgeoning broadband video space – but with a curated environment just for their needs.
Studio 4 Kids (http://www.studio4kids.tv) provides an environment for parents to discover and for children to learn. At its heart is curated family-friendly educational programming – a broad selection of high-quality choice right at their fingertips at home. Studio 4 Kids, featuring dozens of award-winning titles, broadens a family’s learning environment beyond scanning channels or the shelves of their local retailer. With respected and recognized producers like Brainy Baby and Big Comfy Couch, Studio 4 Kids gives infants to elementary-aged children the best in fun learning programming, while giving parents peace of mind. It’s like having shelves and shelves of your favorite educational videos that your child can watch again and again – or a new set of videos each week from names you can trust and enjoy.
Studio 4 Learning gives students top-quality video help at their fingertips through a fun, accessible and user-friendly format. Programmed for students attending middle and high school, Studio 4 Learning provides two sets of tools for those challenging academic topics. On VOD, students can tune in for supercharged full half-hour primers of subjects like math, physics, and Spanish. On broadband, Studio 4 Learning will soon be launching a new broadband toolset to search its1,500 video segment database for just that right subject area for today’s homework, or to engage a student in a new topic that got her excited at school that day. Studio 4 Learning covers all the basics with an extensive library of informative tutorial programming. Studio 4 Learning’s titles, which include 22 Telly Award-winners, bring the classroom home for an educational experience that’s On Demand 24/7.
Studio 4 Fitness (http://www.studio4fitness.tv)has the best trainers on demand, providing customized workouts for beginners to experts. No more watching those same workout videos 25 times – unless you want to. On VOD, viewers can do Pilates one day, yoga the next – or they can follow all the videos of some of their favorite workout personalities. On broadband, workout wizards share their health tips and exercise routines with viewers who are trying to accomplish everything from weight loss to total body fitness. Studio 4 Fitness has a vast personal coaching team, offering freedom of choice when designing workout routines. Now the fitness club is open 24 hours a day with Studio 4 Fitness, serving up classes in yoga, aerobics, Pilates, dance, weight training and the hottest new routines.
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