Cox Launches Digital Video Recorder Service in Northern Virginia; Northern Virginia's DVR Service Marks Cox's Second DVR Roll-Out in 2003
Business Wire
Atlanta, GA
NYSE:COX

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 2003--Cox Communications (NYSE: COX) today announced the deployment of its new Digital Video Recorder (DVR) service in Northern Virginia.

DVR service marks the next step in Cox's ongoing efforts to bring customers the most compelling home entertainment programming, powered by technology that increases their viewing control and convenience. In February, Cox also announced a full market trial of DVR service in Gainesville, Fla.

"The launch of Cox's DVR service truly reinforces our role as the leading provider of advanced video services," said Lynne Elander, Vice President, Video Product Development at Cox. "DVR service changes the way Cox customers view television -- giving them complete control over what they watch and when they watch it. The availability of DVR service, as well as High Definition Service from Cox and Cox High Speed Internet, further differentiate us from our competition and provides unsurpassed bundled advantages to our customers in Northern Virginia."

A digital video recorder is a device that stores video programming on a hard disk, which is then available for playback at any time. Often compared to videocassette recorders (VCRs), DVRs and VCRs do have similar functions - recording and playback. However, Cox's DVR service offers more sophisticated recording and playback options including the ability to pause and rewind live TV, watch one recorded program while recording up to two others, easily record up to 50 hours of programming on one hard disk while away from home and the ability to watch two programs simultaneously with Picture in a Picture (PIP).

In Northern Virginia, Cox is deploying the Scientific-Atlanta Explorer 8000 digital video recorder, which functions as the customer's all-in-one digital cable set-top box and DVR. In order to enjoy Cox DVR service, customers must subscribe to Cox Digital Cable. In Northern Virginia, the monthly fee for DVR service is $9.99 per month plus the monthly lease cost of $9.99 for the integrated DVR set-top box. As Cox rolls out DVR service to other markets, prices and promotions may vary.

With Cox DVR service, customers avoid the upfront expense of buying a standalone DVR or a satellite DVR system. Also, DVR service from Cox is simpler to use and operate than standalone DVR products that involve separate program guides and require connection to a telephone line. Compared to services from satellite providers, Cox also has the advantage of bringing customers the local content that they might be interested in viewing. "Customers in Northern Virginia have already been extremely positive about the DVR service," said Gary McCollum, Vice President and General Manager of Cox Northern Virginia. "The convenience of controlling live television, coupled with renting the DVR set top box rather than having to incur expensive equipment fees upfront, has made this new service offering very attractive to our customers."

Cox also offers its customers the opportunity to bundle home entertainment and communications services from one provider. By bundling services with Cox, customers can increase their convenience and value with bundling discounts. "Many of our long-term customer relationships began with our video service only," said Elander. "Today, as a multi-service broadband communications company, our customers expect us to provide them with the latest advancements in video and communications services. DVR is certainly a very compelling video offering that greatly enhances our video service well beyond what is being offered by our competition."

Acerca de Cox Communications

Cox Communications (NYSE: COX), a Fortune 500 company, is a multi-service broadband communications company serving approximately 6.3 million customers nationwide. Cox is the nation's fourth-largest cable television provider, and offers both traditional analog video programming under the Cox Cable brand as well as advanced digital video programming under the Cox Digital Cable brand. Cox provides an array of other communications and entertainment services, including local and long distance telephone under the Cox Digital Telephone brand; high-speed Internet access under the brands Cox High Speed Internet and Cox Express; and commercial voice and data services via its affiliate Cox Business Services, LLC. Local cable advertising, promotional opportunities and production services are sold under the Cox Media(SM) brand. Cox is an investor in programming networks including Discovery Channel. More information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at www.cox.com/espanol.

    CONTACT: Cox Communications, Atlanta
             Bobby Amirshahi, 404/843-7872

    SOURCE: Cox Communications, Inc. 

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