NEW YORK, January 29, 2002 – Mag Rack, Rainbow Media's unique video-on-demand (VOD) service, teed off today with the launch of Better Golf Club, a new niche VOD magazine that delivers exciting programming for golf enthusiasts. Better Golf Club will premiere February 1, 2002 and is hosted by CNBC golf announcer, Jay Randolph. The addition of this VOD programming brings Mag Rack's lineup to a total of 19 "video magazines." Mag Rack is the first and only service designed and produced exclusively for delivery in a video-on-demand format.
"Since launching just four months ago, Mag Rack has added programming in nineteen new specialty categories, been well-received by consumers and has attracted the interest of a number of cable operators," said Matthew Strauss, executive vice president and general manager of Mag Rack. "We are encouraged by our success-to-date and confident that as consumers begin to see the power of video-on-demand technology and cable operators continue their roll out initiatives, Mag Rack will be the brand of choice for video-on-demand programming."
Better Golf Club will feature tips segmented by various aspects of the game including driving, putting and chipping from well-known golfers such as Fred Couples, Dave Stockton Jr. and Tom Purtzer as well as information on golf vacation destinations and profiles of professional players. As most golfers know, they rarely have all facets of their golf game working perfectly at the same time and Better Golf Club will demonstrate the power of VOD by enabling them to return home from the course and pick the instruction segment that they need the most. Better still, they will be able to pause, rewind and fast-forward ensuring that they get everything they need to know to improve their game. For those golfers who dream about playing a round of golf, but the snow is still falling outside, they can escape at the click of a button on their remote control and find some of the greatest golf resorts in the world. Every golfer has their favorite pro and Better Golf Club will feature profiles of the best and brightest the game has to offer.
"Better Golf Club is our first foray into sports on Mag Rack and we think that golf is the perfect sport to demonstrate the power of delivering content to viewers in the video-on-demand world," said Strauss. "Different from golf coverage on television today, Better Golf Club's focus is not on live events, but on providing instruction and profiles that enhance playing and enjoyment of the sport. Golfers are passionate about their games, always thinking about the next tip that will save them strokes on the golf course. VOD makes getting those tips easy and with the power of pausing, rewinding and fast-forwarding, the viewers are sure to capture everything they need and more."
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, Rainbow's new VOD service, is being marketed to other cable operators, supporting the effort to rollout digital set-top boxes and drive VOD adoption by giving customers maximum programming choice and control. Additional video magazines available at Mag Rack include American Catholic, Art of Basketry, BirdSight, Bridal, Classic Cars, Club Vegetarian, Destination: Nature, History of Art, Mag Rack: Showcase, Maximum Science, Mission: Space, Motorcycle Freedom, Healthy by Choice, Photography Close Up, Shakespeare, Take on Life, The Bible and You, and Wine World. By the end of 2002, Mag Rack expects to offer 40 to 50 "video magazines."
About Rainbow Media
Mag Rack is owned and managed by Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation 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 owns a 20% stake in four of Rainbow's national networks – AMC, Bravo, IFC, and WE: Women's Entertainment.