Washington, D.C. (September 4, 2008) -- Comcast today announced it has agreed to carry HDNet and HDNet Movies, ending a long dispute between the companies.

The cable operator did not say where and when the two high-def channels would be added. But HDNet said the agreement allows Comcast to offer the two channels to "many of its systems." Often a cable operator negotiates the national rights to carry a channel and then allows its local systems to decide when to carry it.

The carriage agreement also includes a free On Demand programming service from HDNet.

"We’re thrilled to have a partnership that will provide Comcast’s customers with top-notch HD programming.  This agreement between two leading HD providers will help shape the ever-expanding world of high definition programming,” said Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet.  “This marketplace agreement makes HDNet’s cutting edge, independent programming accessible to many more cable homes across the country.”

Since launching in 2001, HDNet has been a popular high-def choice on satellite and some cable systems, featuring exclusive sporting events such as HDNet Fights and news-oriented shows such as Dan Rather Reports.

However, Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator, refused to add the channel (and its sister network, HDNet Movies) and would rarely comment on the reasons why.

But today in a statement, Comcast's Matt Bond says HDNet and HDNet Movies will "further complement our offering by bringing both compelling and high quality HD programming to our customers in this increasingly competitive marketplace."

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