"Mag Rack Kids Club" New to Fall 2002 Line-up
Mag Rack, Rainbow Media Holding's unique video-on-demand (VOD) service (NYSE: RMG), will launch six new video magazines this fall geared for enthusiasts on the go, including three new sports magazines: Total Snowboard, Total Ski and Tennis Zone. Also launching this fall is Aviator's World, Mag Rack Kids Club and Traveler's Guide.
"While Mag Rack continues to identify special interest programming geared toward personal passions, we also focus on developing new topics to reach further into our audience," said Matthew Strauss, executive vice president and general manager of Mag Rack. "Mag Rack Kids Club is our first video magazine geared toward toddlers to young adults. The programming is educational yet fun and perfectly designed for VOD. Parents can also appreciate the variety of activities the program offers."
Following is information on Mag Rack's new programs:
Aviator's World: Aviator's World is designed to instruct, inform and entertain private pilots, adventure seekers and aviation and aircraft enthusiasts. Comprised of three editorial components, Aviator's World includes FAA approved instructional advice for private pilots, including "Icing," "Aircraft Surface Movement" and "Flying Into Towered Airports." Additionally, Aviator's World features travel excursions and historical aviation packages culled from "Aviation Week," the world's leading resource for the aviation and aerospace community.- Mag Rack Kids Club: Mag Rack Kids Club goes straight to the source for children's entertainment with tween hosts Angelique Nieves and Travis Walters. Mag Rack Kids Club offers entertaining and informational videos for children ages 1 – 11 years old. Coded by activity and age group, Mag Rack Kids Club features a kids' clubhouse, animated stories, pre-school learning tools, music, magic and more – with narrations by Kevin Kline and songs performed by Judy Collins. Additional activities range from fitness and science to "What do you want to be when you grow up?" profiles. Arranged in categories from Tots (1-3) to Tykes (4-6) to Tweens (7-up), there's always something fun for all pre-teen members of the family – and parents will enjoy them too!
- Total Snowboard: Total Snowboard is the first national television service fully dedicated to the art of snowboarding. Viewers get a snowboarding lesson while inside the half pipe from expert rider Aaron Vujicc. The program also teaches how to assess the slopes, angles and pitches of the walls, gain speed, 'grabbing' techniques, how to 'drop in' to the pipe, and what to do when you get out on the other side. Professional rider Jen K. gives insider tips on what is out there in the world of modern gear: how to choose the best board (for men and women), bindings, boots, helmets, clothing and proper nutrition. Viewers will pick up tips on what materials are best for jumping, gaining speed, or just coasting down the mountain. Also included are visits to the top snowboarding destinations on the east and west coasts-from the birthplace of snowboarding, Stratton, VT, to June Mountain, CA, while assessing all the parks and pipes in between. Total Snowboard is hosted by Paul Hochman, long time rider and Tech Editor for "Ski Magazine."
Traveler's Guide: Traveler's Guide provides a civilized and cultured approach to trotting the globe. For adventurers and creatures of comfort alike, Traveler's Guide offers an itinerary that both novice and veteran travelers will appreciate. Each issue features an anchor segment focusing on a prominent destination city – from Istanbul to Caracas, from Hong Kong to Berlin. Also included in each issue is a tremendous train trek and a "great escape" to a spa, island, beach or cruise. Hosted by John Heminway, celebrated travel writer and host of the long-running PBS series "Travels," Traveler's Guide offers essays for travel insiders – from how to navigate state department regulations to where to find the best dude ranches.
Tennis Zone: Tennis Zone is designed for active tennis players of all skill levels and is hosted by French Open Doubles winner and captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team, Patrick McEnroe. With instructional segments from celebrated tennis trainer Nick Bollettieri, plus original have-more-fun playing tips segments provided by McEnroe, Tennis Zone will add new, seasonal elements in 2003.
Total Ski: Also hosted by Paul Hochman, Total Ski reviews the latest gear, techniques, accessories, safety equipment, and hot spot ski destinations around the country. Viewers gain insider access into modern "Gear and Techniques" from experts like Andrew Mason (senior ski instructor at June Mountain, CA) and Kristina Koznick (four time World Cup Slalom winner), while learning what kind of equipment best fits their level of ability and most enhances their performance. "Accessories and Safety Equipment" has interviews with self-confessed "gear heads" like two time Olympian and US Downhill Champion, Chad Fleisher, who picks his top boots, helmets, goggles, poles and bindings. The "Destinations" segment tours the best ski resorts in North America, investigating hill structure and terrain, run degree of difficulty, lifts and resort service.
About Mag Rack
Just like at a newsstand, customers can choose from Mag Rack's selection of "video magazines" that offer authoritative content about subjects that are personally relevant. Mag Rack is being marketed to cable operators, supporting the effort to rollout digital set-top boxes and drive VOD adoption by giving customers maximum programming choice and control. Video magazines available at Mag Rack include American Catholic, The Art of Basketry, Best of Mag Rack, Better Golf Club, BirdSight, Celebrating Dogs, Classic Cars, Club Vegetarian, Cook with the Pros, Destination: Nature, Fame & Faith, Healthy By Choice, History of Art, Inside Weddings, Let's Go Garden, Maximum Science, Mission: Space, Modern Parent, Motorcycle Freedom, Photography Close Up, Shakespeare, SportsCamp, Take on Life, The Bible and You, Wine World, Yoga Retreat, and Your Next Car. By the end of 2002, Mag Rack expects to offer as many as 40 video magazines.
About Rainbow Media
Mag Rack is owned and managed by Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) and NBC, Rainbow manages American Movie Classics, WE: Women's Entertainment, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow Sports Networks, News 12 Networks, and MetroChannels as well as the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. In addition, Rainbow is a fifty-percent partner in FOX Sports Net. Mag Rack is one of the assets included in Cablevision's Rainbow Media Group tracking stock (NYSE:RMG). MGM (NYSE:MGM) owns a 20% stake in four of Rainbow's national networks – AMC, Bravo, IFC, and WE: Women's Entertainment.