WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to show appreciation for a city that has hosted eight annual cable industry national conventions, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) today unveiled the details of a comprehensive community service initiative that will assist the New Orleans region in its long-term recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Under the umbrella of the “CableCares” community service program, and with the assistance of the City of New Orleans, Cox New Orleans, and local organizations helping in the rebuilding efforts, NCTA has identified several areas of need which the cable industry and delegates to The Cable Show ’08 will be able to address.

The Cable Show ’08, NCTA’s 57th annual convention and international exposition May 18-20, will be held in New Orleans. The Big Easy – hosting its ninth NCTA convention – holds the mark for hosting more NCTA conventions that any other city.

“When our trade show returns to New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina, we’ll have an enormous opportunity to leave behind a lasting contribution to the revitalization of a city and a culture that has meant so much to us as a cable destination for the past 30 years,” said Debra Lee, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks and 2008 Convention Committee Co-chair. “That’s why we are setting aside time before, during, and at the finale of The Cable Show ’08 for delegates to join in a number of special programs offering support in a variety of ways to a city that is coming back strong.”

“CableCares is an umbrella charity program providing an opportunity for everyone to give back in ways that play to their special interests, strengths, and convictions,” said Rocco B. Commisso, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Mediacomm Communications Corp. and 2008 Convention Committee Co-chair. “I hope the entire industry will get involved in this effort.”

Working with partner organizations, CableCares has identified the following projects that will be the focus of NCTA’s fundraising and volunteer initiatives.

Rebuilding the Playgrounds

A vast majority of neighborhood and schoolyard playgrounds in New Orleans were devastated by Katrina, leaving children with fewer places to run and play. Working with non-profit playground builders, and with design input from the kids themselves, CableCares will fund and re-build some of these important community play spaces.

For every $65,000 raised under this initiative, CableCares will organize volunteers on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 to clear a lot for a playground and assemble slides, jungle gyms, and other playground equipment.

Rebuilding the Libraries

Many schools in the New Orleans area lost their libraries, and CableCares will organize a book and educational video drive to refill the book shelves. Delegates to The Cable Show will be asked to “bring a book,” with the goal of collecting 15,000 new books. CableCares will coordinate the effort with New Orleans schools and a fulfillment house to identify the titles most in need.

Bringing Schools Back

In addition to restocking libraries, city schools have many other needs, often as simple as a clean set of lockers and a fresh coat of paint, while others need to be completely rewired and equipped with technology. CableCares is working with the local school system and Cox New Orleans to identify schools with the greatest need and to mobilize volunteers to take action.

On Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, hundreds of cable industry volunteers will be organized to clean, paint, and spruce up school grounds. CableCares will also coordinate donations of cabling and equipment – including cable modems, set-top boxes, computers, and TVs – to install video and Internet services in selected schools.

Battle of the Bands Fundraiser

The annual closing night party of The Cable Show ’08 will serve as a charity fundraiser, and the entertainment will feature performances from some of the cable industry’s best rockers and musicians. The “Battle of the Bands” concert will be a friendly yet fierce competition among bands comprising executives from cable operators, program networks, vendors, and media organizations.

Bands from the following companies already have committed to take the stage: Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Fox Networks Group, Discovery Communications, and CableFAX/C-SPAN , and more are expected. Proceeds from the event will benefit New Orleans schools, libraries, Habitat for Humanity and other organizations helping New Orleans rebuild.

The Sportsman Channel's Hunt.Fish.FeedSM initiative

The Sportsman Channel's Hunt.Fish.FeedSM initiative connects hunters, meat processors and shelters to feed those who are less fortunate. Hunters and anglers donate millions of meals annually to those in need through programs like Safari Club International Foundation's Sportsmen Against HungerTM.

The successful program comes to New Orleans on Saturday, May 17 with volunteers assisting with the food donation at a local shelter.

Bike Tour Fundraiser

Produced and managed in partnership with Reed Business Information, publisher of Multichannel News and Broadcasting & Cable, CableCares will sponsor a bike tour and rally that allows conference participants to see first-hand the state of recovery and advancement of New Orleans. The routes would be of short, medium and long distance (approx. 15, 30 and 60 miles); and will take cyclists through both recovered and still-recovering sections of New Orleans. Participants will be asked to solicit a minimum of $350 for the CableCares New Orleans fund, and bikes and guides will be provided.

“New Orleans is a special city to the cable industry and has always welcomed us with open arms. The CableCares initiative gives our industry the opportunity to show how much this city means to our industry, and I’m excited to see the results,” said Kyle McSlarrow, NCTA President & CEO.

Cox Communications is playing a leading role alongside ten other cable operators (Bresnan Communications, Bright House Networks, Cable ONE, Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast, Insight Communications, Mediacom, Suddenlink, Time Warner Cable) and the nation's largest interconnect, Adlink, to cumulatively commit at least $12 million in donated advertising time on their networks to the New Orleans Tourism Initiative. Research suggest this unprecedented initiative will yield greater than $1.3 billion in visitor spending and help City of New Orleans rebound from the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina.

More information about the many New Orleans CableCares volunteer opportunities, or to offer suggestions for other programs, email messages can be sent to CableCares@ncta.com,or contact NCTA’s industry affairs department at 202-222-2430.

Further information about The Cable Show ’08, news from the City of New Orleans, and an opportunity to sign up for periodic Cable Show updates, are available at the Cable Show’s website, www.thecableshow.com.

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