TORONTO – What do HDTV set buyers want when they bring their big, bright, expensive new TV home?
HD content, of course. However, what those in the TV industry are finding is that consumers are often under-informed when it comes to what’s available in high definition when they plug that set in.
So, in co-operation with Rogers Cable and Cogeco Cable, Astral Media’s The Movie Network has partnered with Future Shop and Best Buy on a cross-promotional initiative designed to promote The Movie Network and High Definition at retail stores across Ontario beginning tomorrow (Thursday, December 1, 2005.)
Consumers who buy an HD set (and/or buy or rent a Cogeco or Rogers HD digital set top box) will get a second month free when they sign-up for The Movies Package on Rogers Digital Cable or Cogeco Digital Cable.
The Movies Package on Rogers Digital Cable and Cogeco Digital Cable includes The Movie Network’s main channel, The Movie Network’s five multiplex channels, The Movie Network OnDemand (SVOD service), The Movie Network HD (a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week HD channel) and Mpix and Mescape (two classic movie channels).
“Working with retailers such as Best Buy and Future Shop opens up a whole new sales channel for The Movie Network to reach potential subscribers and build awareness for The Movie Network’s best-in-class programming and leading-edge services such as SVOD and HD,” said Domenic Vivolo, senior vice president, marketing and sales, Astral Television Networks.
“A recent survey (done by Ipsos Reid for TMN) found lack of content and consumer awareness are the biggest barriers to increased consumer adoption of HD services in Canada. As such, this promotion provides us with an opportunity to further increase HD awareness and adoption by targeting consumers directly at the retail level,” continued Vivolo.
“(Other) research also indicates that consumers are most interested in viewing movies in HD (from a Lyra Research survey for the Consumer Electronics Association). By packaging The Movie Network’s HD channel together with the necessary hardware that can be acquired at Best Buy and Future Shop, consumers receive the full benefits and features of HD, all in one step.”
This offer will be available from December 1, 2005, to December 31, 2005, at 61 Best Buy and Future Shop locations (the two chains are the same company) in Ontario.
