ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2003--Cox Communications, Inc. today announced it has entered into a strategic investment and partnership with Atlanta-based Connecting with Kids Network (CWK).
The investment will enable students to view and participate in CWK's CONNECT! Program, which will be distributed via Cox's cable systems throughout the country. CONNECT! content analyzes and discusses everyday issues facing our nation's children such as bullying, dating violence, anxiety and depression, drug use and academic problems.
The partnership between Cox and CWK creates a unique, coordinated partnership of cable operators, local school districts and communities that ensures a new kind of home-school connection previously unavailable to parents, teachers, students, and local communities.
"Because CWK connects the community at the grassroots level by combining the power and reach of broadband technology with the effectiveness of award-winning, character-based educational programming, Cox can offer valuable and topical content as a relevant value-add to schools and residential customers who purchase our cable and broadband technologies," says Pat Esser, EVP, Operations, Cox Communications. "This partnership connects the community with the school through the power of television and broadband services."
Cox cable systems will bring to its viewers a comprehensive series of programs: daily vignettes about character; weekly news reports, and every year, eight half-hour specials on subjects like drug and alcohol abuse, truancy, peer pressure, and civility. Local schools will also have access to a library of video products, Web resources, and teacher professional development. Curriculum provided by CWK is linked to national standards and includes fully integrated lesson plans, interactive student activities, educational materials and other downloadable materials for teachers.
"The partnership between Connecting with Kids and Cox allows us to expand our reach from broadcast stations into the cable industry and to a number of key markets across the country," says Stacey DeWitt, CEO of the Connecting with Kids Network.
In fall of 2002, five schools in the Dysart School District of Greater Phoenix, Ariz. signed on to receive CWK's CONNECT! multimedia resources. Additional information and learning supplements are available to the parents, students, and teachers in the Dysart community through the Cox Education Network.
Future plans call for Cox in Phoenix to air a series of half-hour specials under the "Cox Connecting with Kids" banner on its local origination channel, Cox 9.
According to Esser, Cox Communications provides complementary cable television services via Cable in the Classroom and a high-speed Internet connection to schools in its service areas. Since 1992, Cox Communications has contributed more than $50 million in cash and in-kind services to enhance education programs in the communities it serves.
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. 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.
About Connecting with Kids
CWK is a leading creator and distributor of programming and educational products and services focusing on the health, education and well-being of children. The Company distributes that programming through a national network of media partners and educators developing local community action networks that can instigate positive social change in local communities. Connecting With Kids Network and its production team have been recognized with several of the news industry's top journalistic awards, including Prism Commendations, Parent Choice Awards, and Regional Emmy nominations among others. More information about CWK can be accessed at www.connectingwithkids.com.
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CONTACT: | Cox Communications, Inc. |
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Media Contacts | |
Bobby Amirshahi, 404/843-7872 | |
Bobby.Amirshahi@cox.com | |
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Connecting with Kids Network | |
Steve Byerly, 404/601-5903 | |
sbyerly@cwknetwork.com |
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