HDNet's Independent News Organization Wins Two News and Documentary Emmy® Awards

'Dan Rather Reports' and 'HDNet World Report' win Emmy® Awards for News Coverage

News provided by

Sep 28, 2010, 02:00 ET

DALLAS, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- HDNet's independent news organization brought home two News and Documentary Emmy Awards at the ceremony held last night in New York City.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO)

"Dan Rather Reports" won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Business and Economic Reporting in a News Magazine for "Iran's Manhattan Project." The piece - produced by Andrew Glazer and led by Executive Producer Wayne Nelson and Senior Producer Elliot Kirschner - presented new information about a shocking money laundering scandal in which the United States had found that western banks had helped Iran acquire billions of dollars for its weapons program.

And, in the first win ever for "HDNet World Report," Correspondent Paul Beban accepted the award for Outstanding Feature Story in a News Magazine for "South Africa's Shame: Modern-Day Slavery and the World Cup." The story about human trafficking in South Africa was led by Executive Producer Dennis O'Brien, Senior Producer Kathy Gettings and Producer Gareth Harvey. In the piece, Paul Beban wore a hidden camera, to capture human traffickers on film and nearly completed a purchase to acquire ten women for about $400.00 US dollars apiece. The story is just one example of World Report's commitment to on-going coverage of Africa, presenting more than fifteen in-depth stories about the continent over the past four years.

"Last night was huge for our network" said Mark Cuban, chairman and co-founder of HDNet. "Both of our strong, independent news programs were able to beat the bigger guys –while still covering the stories that truly matter. I couldn't be more proud of both of these programs and I salute the great work that these excellent teams turn out week after week."

In an impassioned speech to the audience, presenter Dan Rather told the gathering of journalists that, "The country needs you and your work right now." He continued, to a rousing ovation that, "The country needs you to find out and communicate what is going on. What's really going on; and tell it. And in that role, I suggest you cannot and must not waiver, hesitate or cower. You must not be intimidated or get distracted. Yours, my friends, is essential, noble work."

A full copy of Mr. Rather's speech can be found at the following link: http://www.hd.net/danrather_emmy.html

"Dan Rather Reports" airs every Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. ET, immediately followed by "HDNet World Report," at 9:00 p.m. ET. The two programs air as a part of the network's News and Documentary programming night. Both programs are now available on iTunes.

About HDNet

HDNet (www.hd.net) is the independent network with unique and thought-provoking content that appeals to men of all ages and is delivered in true high definition.

HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report," and the Emmy Award winning "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant - telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence. HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries as part of the InFocus series. "NASA on HDNet" presents all live shuttle launches through 2010.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts with its Friday night series, "HDNet Fights" (www.hdnetfights.com). "HDNet Fights" works with leading MMA promoters including DREAM, Sengoku, King of the Cage, XFC, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC and more. HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet's "Inside MMA" is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA, while "Fighting Words with Mike Straka," goes one-on-one with some of the biggest names in the sport. HDNet also features live coverage of regular season games from the second season of the United Football League.

HDNet also delivers the world's largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Nickelback and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring "Art Mann Presents," "Girls Gone Wild," "Deadline" and "Get Out!"

Only HDNet Movies (www.hdnetmovies.com) delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters. The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow, Eric Bana, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, Robin Williams, Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger.

In addition to being the exclusive home of Sneak Previews, HDNet Movies viewers enjoy the best films from the classics of the 1950s-1970s, to favorite films from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films.

HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, and Verizon FiOS.

The HDNet networks can be followed via Facebook at facebook.com/HDNet, facebook.com/HDNetFights and facebook.com/HDNetMovies and via Twitter at twitter.com/hdnet, twitter.com/hdnetfights and twitter.com/hdnetmovies.

SOURCE HDNet