33 HD Experience Channels Now Available in Mankato, North Mankato and Janesville
MANKATO, Minn. – July 8, 2008 – HickoryTech Corporation (Nasdaq: HTCO) announced today that it has significantly expanded its HD programming to more than 30 High Definition (HD) channels in Janesville, Mankato and North Mankato, creating one of the most extensive HD channel lineups available in these communities.
“We are excited to extend our competitiveness to HD by expanding our already comprehensive lineup with new HD channels,” said Damon Dutz, president of HickoryTech’s consumer and network solutions division. “The breadth of our HD channel selection is strong evidence of our focus to provide a competitive service, more value and desirable programming to consumers over our IPTV network.”
HickoryTech is adding 27 new HD channels to the Experience packages, bringing the HD lineup from six to 33 channels. The new HD channels include in part: HGTV, Food Network, Smithsonian, ESPNews, NHL Network, Animal Planet, National Geographic, Discovery, Travel Channel, Net Movies and Theater. HickoryTech also added four HD channels to the Starz! and Showtime premium movie packages. A complete list of HD Channels, package descriptions and pricing information is available on the HickoryTech website, www.hickorytech.com .
HickoryTech Digital TV includes more than 250 all digital channels, commercial-free music, local community programming, onscreen program guides on all TVs, Caller ID on your television screen, easy-to-use parental controls and more. HickoryTech offers you the freedom to choose your channel line-up with a Choice package or receive all your favorites with an Ultra package. Digital TV packages can be bundled with a Select phone package for even more savings.
Continued enhancements to the Digital TV service in Janesville, Mankato and North Mankato are expected later this year; including features such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR).
HickoryTech continues to evaluate technical options to upgrade its existing Digital TV infrastructure in other communities in order to offer additional enhanced services, such as HD and DVR, in the future.
HickoryTech offers its triple play services of Digital TV, high-speed DSL and phone service to the Minnesota communities of Eagle Lake, Ellendale, Faribault, Janesville, Lake Crystal, New Richland, North Mankato, St. Peter, St. Clair, and Waseca. Additionally, HickoryTech continues to expand its Digital TV service to Mankato, where service is now available to more than half of the community.
About HickoryTech:
HickoryTech Corporation (NASDAQ: HTCO), headquartered in Mankato, Minn., offers integrated communication products and services to business and residential customers over a regional fiber network. The company, founded in 1898, has approximately 420 employees. The Telecom Sector, with facilities-based operations in Minnesota and Iowa, offers local voice, long distance, high-speed Internet, Digital TV and IP networking services to residential and business customers. In addition, the Telecom Sector develops telecom and carrier access billing solutions and customer management systems. The Enventis Sector provides IP-based voice, data and network solutions to businesses across a five-state region. For more information, visit www.hickorytech.com .
Forward Looking Statement
This release may contain forward-looking statements that are based upon management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this release and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations.