MSNBC GOES HIGH DEFINITION IN SPRING 2009

NEW YORK � October 24, 2008 � MSNBC will begin telecasting in 1080i High Definition in the spring of 2009. The announcement was made by Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC. This move comes as MSNBC marks the one-year anniversary of re-locating to NBC News world headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan. As Election Day approaches, MSNBC is more competitive than it has ever been before. In the third quarter of 2008, MSNBC was the fastest growing channel in all of cable. MSNBC is delivering its largest primetime audience ever and the largest audience in total day (6a-6a) since the start of the War Iraq (25-54, Oct. 08 to date).

"As viewers are making the transition to HD more and more every day, we're looking forward to delivering what they want: a full high definition experience on MSNBC," said Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC. "In addition to our live news programs, over 80% of our new documentaries will be presented in HD."

Building on the NBC News HD infrastructure already in place, MSNBC launches 1080i High Definition utilizing two full HD capable control rooms, integrated HD graphics, and new HD commercial integration master control and distribution systems. Since October of 2007, MSNBC has been telecasting from two HD-ready studios.