HDNet to Air Dan Rather Reports "Stories of the Year"

"Dan Rather Reports" Marathon Includes Special Commentary From Rather Airing Christmas Day Beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET

Dallas (December 19, 2007) - All year long, "Dan Rather Reports" has investigated the news that matters, filing field reports from around the globe, focusing on the issues and stories that shape our world.

This Christmas Day, HDNet will re-air a special selection of these episodes, handpicked by Dan Rather himself as the "Stories of the Year."

Beginning at noon ET, HDNet will present eight back-to-back episodes of "Dan Rather Reports." The episodes will be introduced with unique and personal commentary on each story by the program's host and global correspondent, Dan Rather.

The program schedule is as follows:

"The Constitution in Question" - 12:00 p.m. ET
An assembled panel of legal thinkers debate the different views of executive power and the Bush Administration in the aftermath of 9/11.

"Afghanistan: The Problem with Poppies" - 1:00 p.m. ET
Dan Rather travels to the wild frontier of Afghanistan where massive drug production is threatening to turn the country into a narco-state. The money coming from heroin production is funding a resurgence of the Taliban and terrorism.

"Exodus" - 2:00 p.m. ET
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are fleeing their country to Syria in search of safety. But that's not their final stop. Many are being smuggled to Europe and beyond.

"Medical Marijuana" - 3:00 p.m. ET
Possession of marijuana could lead to jail time. But medical researchers are learning that it may also lead to significant advances in medicine. Dan Rather Reports investigates important new information on the plant that some researchers are calling the "aspirin of the 21st century".

"West Point at War" - 4:00 p.m. ET
Cadets learn about "duty, honor, and country" while preparing to lead troops in a hostile world.

"A Crack in the Ice" - 5:00 p.m. ET
For centuries, explorers dreamed of a Northwest Passage. Now, as the Arctic melts, that dream is becoming a reality. But is the world ready?

"One Man vs. China" - 6:00 p.m. ET
Dan Rather visits with the Dalai Lama. The man who calls himself "just a simple monk" tells us the Chinese, who exiled him decades ago, lack the moral authority to become a super power.

"The Trouble with Touch Screens" - 7:00 p.m. ET
An investigation into the voting machine industry that reveals problems with the latest touch screen technology.

"Dan Rather Reports - Stories of the Year" airs on HDNet on Tuesday, December 25 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

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HDNet is your exclusive, high definition home for popular, critically acclaimed original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report", "Dan Rather Reports" featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather and "NASA on HDNet" (presenting live shuttle launches through 2010). HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, NASCAR Grand National Division, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup re-broadcasts, boxing and premiere Mixed Martial Arts from "HDNet Fights"; behind-the-scenes sports news with "Inside the NHL" and "Inside MMA;" groundbreaking music programming with the HDNet Concert Series featuring leading artists and bands including U2, Coldplay, Gwen Stefani and more; entertaining and irreverent lifestyle programming including "Deadline!", "Art Mann Presents", and "Get Out!" HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to the critically acclaimed and award winning programs such as the Emmy Award winning "Arrested Development", "The Black Donnellys", "Blade: The Series", "Star Trek: Enterprise", "Smallville", "Joan of Arcadia", "Boomtown" and "Andy Richter Controls the Universe".

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