Dan Rather's hourly program on HDNet "will include 'hard-edged field reports,' interviews and investigative pieces and will be 'completely uncensored,' according to the channel's news release," the LAT's Matea Gold reports.

Mark Cuban says: "Now that he is finally released from the ratings-driven and limited-depth confines of broadcast television, I am excited about the impact Dan can have on the future of news."

And Rather adds: "Hard news needs backers who won't back down. Mark Cuban is such a leader. As a team player I intend to give Mark and HDNet all of the hard work, loyalty and fearless, high-quality reporting possible."