HDNet Celebrates the Season With Holiday Specials and the Best of 2004

From Roy Firestone to the Harlem Globetrotters - From Sleeping Beauty to the Doobie Brothers, HDNet has Something for Everyone's Wish List

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - DALLAS - December 21, 2004 - HDNet takes a look back at the best of 2004 and celebrates the holiday season with a line-up of fantastic original programming in the coming weeks. Come on a holiday adventure as HDNet travels to Europe where the Harlem Globetrotters entertain U.S. troops, to the Russian stage for a performance of "Sleeping Beauty on Ice," and everywhere in between. Here is a look at HDNet's special programming through the end of the year:

HOLIDAY SPECIALS AND MUSIC CONCERTS:

- HDNet Presents "A High Definition Holiday" - HDNet cameras have captured some beautiful holiday lighting presentations from cities and homes around the country. Share the beauty of the lights and decorations with your family in high definition. Friday, Dec. 24, 10:30 pm ET

- HDNet InFocus: Sleeping Beauty on Ice - Sleeping Beauty is brought to the stage by 22 of Russia's top professional ice skaters. This ultimate fantasy, a ballet on ice is the romantic fairytale, performed with great artistry, precision and feats of dare devil acrobatic skating. Set to Tchaikovsky's thrilling score, it has been devised and choreographed by Tatiana Tarasova, the world famous Olympic champion Saturday, Dec. 25, 8:00 pm ET

- HDNet Presents "The Harlem Globetrotters: A Gift for the Troops" - The Harlem Globetrotters embark on a whirlwind goodwill mission to visit military troops serving overseas. Over three days they entertain the troops at bases in Rota, Spain, Naples, Italy and La Maddalena, Sardinia. Come along on their inspirational odyssey as generations of Americans get to enjoy the holiday cheer of the Harlem Globetrotters. Saturday, Dec. 25, 10:00 p.m. ET

- HDNet InFocus: New Years Eve Times Square - Tonight in the "Ultimate Access" series, we ask these questions: What if the famous crystal ball doesn't drop? What if the electricity that lights up the world's biggest New Years party is cut off? And what if something much, much worse happens? Countdown to midnight with us. Friday, Dec. 31, 8:00 p.m. ET

- The Doobie Brothers Live at Wolf Trap - The Doobie Brothers have never sounded better! This 10-camera shoot, recorded July 25, 2004 at a sold-out Wolf Trap National Park in Virginia, contains all their most famous songs, plus some rarities. From rock, to soul to blues, this set contains a lot of magic. Tune in and "listen to the music"! Friday, Dec. 31, 9:00 p.m. ET

- HDNet's Live '05 Concert Jam - HDNet celebrates the New Year with more than 16 hours of back-to-back concerts. Jam with Willie Nelson, Matchbox 20, Incubus, Sheryl Crow, The Funk Brothers and many more. Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005, 11:00 a.m. ET

HDNET ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING YEAR-END SPECIALS:

- Anything for Across America - Ron Kruck and Kandace Krueger look at the outrageous things they've done for "Across America" in 2004--both on screen and behind the scenes. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 8:30 pm ET

- Higher Definition Year in Review - Pop-culture critic Robert Wilonsky lists his top ten movies of 2004, plus, discussions with Director Terry George and Paul Rusesabagina from the new film "Hotel Rwanda". Friday, Dec. 24, 8:00 pm ET.

- The People of World Report - World Report cameras traveled throughout the world in 2004, finding unique stories and compelling people to interview. This World Report looks back at the special and memorable people, particularly those involved in and affected by the Iraq conflict. Sunday, Dec. 26, 8:00 pm ET

- True Music: Playback - True Music and Katie Daryl hit playback on 2004! In this one-hour reflection of the past year you'll not only see great interview moments and concerts, but a few bloopers! This True Music 2004 Playback comes to you straight from Detroit 'Rock City' and features bands like Lisa Loeb, Incubus, The Beastie Boys, Los Lonely Boys, Minnie Driver and many others! Sunday, Dec. 26, 8:30 pm ET

- Face 2 Face With Roy Firestone: Best of 2004 - Roy Firestone takes a moment to reflect about the best interviews on Face 2 Face over the course of 2004. This special Face 2 Face presentation features some of the most outspoken guests of 2004 as well as the biggest newsmakers of the year, including Mike Tyson, Donald Trump, Charles Barkley and Arnold Palmer. Monday, Dec. 27, 8:00 p.m. ET

- The Places of World Report - HDNet World Report crews traveled to some very visual and unusual places in 2004...from Libya to Afghanistan...from Haiti to the Amazon. As the year is ending, we look back at some of the more unique and compelling locales that we visited. Tues., Dec. 28, 8:00 pm ET

- Across America: Best of 2004 - Ron and Kandace enjoy Across America's best on-screen moments of 2004, and a few from behind the scenes. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 8:30 p.m. ET

- Hollywood HD Year in Review - It's 2004 in review as we put together the best of the red carpet with Angelina Jolie, John Travolta and Jude Law, and check out the strangest and funniest premiere moments with Tom Cruise and Ben Affleck. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 9:00 p.m. ET

About HDNet
HDNet provides viewers with exciting and topical news, sports, music and entertainment programming. The network features up to 20 hours of original programming each week, all produced in the highest quality 1080i HDTV format - more original high-definition programming than any other network. HDNet news and entertainment includes original series "HDNet World Report," "Face 2 Face with Roy Firestone," "Hollywood HD," "HDNet Concert Series," and "True Music," as well as every episode of the acclaimed Warner Bros. series "Smallville." Live sports productions include NASCAR auto racing, National Hockey League and Major League Soccer games. HDNet Movies, the company's second network, features a wide selection of major studio's theatrical releases - all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio - as well as features produced and finished in true 1080i high-definition. Co-founded by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on Adelphia, Charter, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.

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Contact: Colette Carey, HDNet, (303) 388-8500, ccarey@hd.net