posted 03-26-2004 12:36 PM               

This Saturday, Auction HD, one of the VOOM HD Originals, makes a "giant leap" into the exciting world of high-profile buying and selling when it airs its first live auction in high-definition (HD), Swann Auction Galleries' Space Exploration sale. Exclusive live coverage of this auction of out-of-this-world aeronautical items is available on Auction HD and airs Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 2:00 p.m.  Telecast in crystal-clear high-definition, Auction HD puts collectors at home in the center of the bidding wars, from the first paddle wave until the final hammer falls.

Auction HD provides collectors of all levels across the country unprecedented access to sales at the world's leading auction houses.  The channel (formerly named Treasure HD) provides viewers with previews of upcoming auctions and news from the collecting world, in addition to live telecasts of notable sales.  Everything from classic cars, to Hollywood memorabilia, to impressionist art is enhanced in vivid HD for an up-close and personal look at each lot.

"We are thrilled to be working with Swann Auction Galleries to provide auction enthusiasts and novices alike the unique opportunity to witness a world-class sale as if they were front-row spectators," said Bill Roberts, vice president of programming, Auction HD.  "Moving forward, Auction HD will continue to offer unparalleled access to prestigious sales at premiere auction houses."

Swann Auction Galleries' Space Exploration sale includes a cosmic cache of aeronautical effects that have been to the moon and back, including flown items from Apollo 11, navigational charts used by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the first lunar landing, and personal items of space exploration's top astronauts.  In total, the sale comprises more than 300 lots of equipment and artifacts, patches and emblems, medallions, manuals, charts and maps, postal covers, photographs, posters and more.

"We are pleased the Space Exploration sale is now available for viewing across the country on Auction HD," said Caroline Birenbaum, director of communications for Swann Auction Galleries.  "It's a perfect fit that this particular auction, the most technological we offer, will be telecast in revolutionary high-definition format."

Auction HD is currently producing preview shows for major auction houses such as Christie's, Sotheby's, Freeman's and Doyle New York, to name a few, with the anticipation of telecasting a selection of their live auctions in the upcoming months.

Auction HD is one of the VOOM HD Originals, an all-inclusive package of 21 commercial-free channels created by Rainbow Media and available exclusively to subscribers of VOOM, the first television service to offer a comprehensive array of HD programming to customers throughout the continental United States. In addition to Auction HD, the VOOM HD Originals include exclusive HD coverage of international soccer on WorldSport HD; unique animation entertainment on Animania HD; artistic masterpieces from around the world on Gallery HD; spine-chilling movies brought to life in hi-def on Monsters HD; 24/7 news shot in native HD on HDNews; experimental non-narrative video art on MOOV; the latest pop music concerts on Rave HD; in-your-face action sports on Rush HD; the best in fashion, food and fine living on Ultra HD; and HD Cinema 10, a 10-channel multiplex of uncut, commercial-free movies in HD.

About VOOM and Rainbow DBS 

VOOM, provided by Rainbow DBS, Cablevision System Corporation's satellite service division, is the first television service to provide a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) programming for the rapidly growing but underserved HDTV audience. VOOM's lineup of more than 30 HD channels features an exclusive package of brand-new, commercial-free channels such as WorldSport, Epics and Animania.  The service also includes over 70 of the most popular cable channels in standard-definition (SD), 18 digital music channels, and over-the-air digital broadcast channels in HD, where available.  VOOM is offered across the continental United States through local Sears retailers, by calling 1-800-GET-VOOM, or by visiting www.voom.com.

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